Saturday, June 11, 2011

Product Review and Giveaway

I got up early this morning and did a 8.5 mile run with the sunrise.  It was beautiful out and then I had to go into work for a couple hours to finish doing inventory..boo to that!  Good news is.. I got a camera today a newer version of the one I had before.  I am still learning to use it, but it has some funner features than my old one.  I can't wait to really get out and get some good pictures.

I have been meaning to do a giveaway for quite awhile.  I was very lucky and won several, so I wanted to spread the fun around some more.  I was going to do it when I got to 50 followers, but I was so busy, then I thought I would at 75, but time flew by and here I am finally getting around to it, and the good news is I have several more lined up that I am really excited about !  :)

I was paging through a Runner's World issue from last year and saw an ad in the back for a free trial of this energy gel, that is made with agave and dutch chocolate.  Yum!  I am recently started to experiment with agave nectar a little so this perked my interest.  I love that you can use less of it and it is sweeter than sugar. So I went to the website, but the free trial time had expired, so I wrote to the company asking if I could still get a free trial and do a giveaway on my blog.  He wrote back right away and agreed.  So here it is my first giveaway!  Yeah so that one in the picture is open because I wanted to taste it again as I was writing this (it's pretty good) then I remembered that I hadn't taken any pictures yet. the one on the left is all crinkled from being in my fuel belt this morning but the one in front is still pretty :)

Here is what the website says about it:

Chocolate #9 is different because it:

  • is sweetened only with organic agave.
  • contains no refined sugar or other HIGH glycemic index sweeteners.
  • has been – tested and certified – as a “LOW” glycemic index (GI) item.
  • Chocolate #9 LOW GI gel reduces the negative effect of repetitive insulin “spiking” during sustained exercise.
  • won’t cause a sugar high or a sugar low – bonk.
  • is an excellent energy choice for endurance athletes.
  • is suitable for most diabetics – and used by Team Type 1.
  • is an excellent choice for those not wanting to eat refined sugar.
  • is vegan, low fat and gluten free.
  • contains no synthetics – no unpleasant aftertastes – tastes great.
  • contains no “mystery” ingredients, colorings, or preservatives.
  • is easy on the stomach.
  • best of all — Chocolate #9 tastes great.
My take:

It is pretty good. It has a dark chocolate taste to it.  I used it this morning on my 8.5 mile run.  I don't normally use gel at the start of a run, but since it was 5 am and all I had eaten was one piece of toast with peanut butter, and I am trialling it I went ahead and tried it.  Initial taste was good.  Has a smooth texture and is chocolaty, but would I like it during a run?  Five miles in I decided to try it again.  Pouch was easy to rip open as I was running along.  I was able to enjoy the flavor and swallow it easily.  I remember some runs last summer where I felt like I was gagging my gels down with water, but this went good.  And tasted good.  If you like chocolate flavored gels I definitely recommend this one.  I never felt a big burst of energy from the gel, but I could feel a steady increase in my energy that lasted the rest of my run.  I  will be taking this along on runs again.

In case you were wondering what is so great about Belgian chocolate (I was) read here and if you want to learn more about agave nectar go here. It is a pretty informative website about agave nectar and its health benefits. 

Does this sound like something you would like to try?  Here's how you can enter for a chance to try it yourself.

MANDATORY:
1. Be a follower or become one.

Extra Entries
2. Like Chocolate #9 on Facebook HERE and tell them I sent you.

3. Visit the Chocolate #9 Website  HERE and tell me what you liked
4. Post this giveaway on your blog

Drawing will be held June 19, picked by Random.org

74 comments:

  1. I went to the webpage and the trial size pack is a reasonable price....I like that!

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  2. I posted it on my blog: http://jlacissej.blogspot.com/2011/06/chocolate-9-giveaway.html

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  3. Well, of course I am following you. This stuff looks pretty neat!

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  4. Linking to this post on my blog.

    eatrunsail.blogspot.com

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  5. Ohh I'm a follower.. I <3 chocolate!!! I'll be liking too!

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  6. i always love getting up early and starting my day off with a run! that said, boooo that you had to go into work! hopefully you get today off. :)

    sweet news on getting your new camera! looking forward to some snappy new shots when you get the hang of it! hope you're having a great weekend!

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  7. I have a link to your giveaway on my blog!

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  8. I liked Chocolate #9 on FB and told them that you sent me!

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  9. I follow. And I've been to Belgium, so I know how good Belgian chocolate is!

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  10. I love that the ingredients aren't a secret.

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  11. I like the "easy on the stomach" part. I hope it's true! Oh, and of course the "chocolate" part. You had me at chocolate.

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  12. I visited Chocolate #9 website and LOVE that it's used by Team Type 1 - what a great testimony to the product's value for endurance athletes (diabetic or not). I think the last picture on the Team Type 1 page is hilarious - it's a full tote of the gel - nice!!!!

    be-amazing.net

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  13. I've posted this give away on my blog's sidebar under "win this".

    be-amazing.net

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  14. I put a link to the giveaway on my sidebar! www.therunningcook.blogspot.com

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  15. Chocolate is one of my favorite things so this sounds great! :)

    I'm a follower.

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  16. I put a link on my sidebar.

    http://www.anindoorgirl.com/

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  17. I really like that it's made with Agave! Now I need to go and read what my other gu's are made of. Jeez!

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  18. Just posted your contest on my blog - on the left/top

    runningwiththegirls.blogspot.com

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  19. I'm a follower!

    I love agave syrup. I have been using it on everything - Greek yogurt, coffee, tea, pancakes. :)

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  20. I just became a follower! I'm not sure how I feel about the chocolate flavor.. I've always been drawn to the more fruity ones. Your review intrigued me though!

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  21. I went to the website: Love the free shipping!

    I also posted on my blog:
    http://beerdogsandhealth.blogspot.com/2011/06/giveaway-to-check-out.html

    I think i'm going to have to order some!!

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  22. I liked Chocolate #9 on FB and left a note saying you sent me!

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  23. I was really excited to read about the LOW GLYCEMIC INDEX on the website and the natural sweeteners. I am trying to stay away from processed sugars completely!

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  24. Posted on my blog too. Thank you!

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  25. I "liked" Chocolate #9's Facebook page and let them know you sent me!

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  26. I'm a follower of course, love your blog!

    These look delicious, thanks for sharing them with us.

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  27. Thanks for the review! I love that is uses agave! I heart agave. ;) Plus with how I have to eat now, this will be great for fueling in the future! So excited about that! Thanks girl!

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  28. Checked out the website and what I like is that there are very few ingrediants and no additives.

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  29. Will blog about your giveaway today! Promise!

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  30. I am following you on Google Reader.

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  31. I'm a follower! :) (Laura sent me!)

    Sarah @ Thinfluenced

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  32. I hit them up on Facebook! :)

    Sarah @ Thinfluenced

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  33. I love that there is NOTHING synthetic! HUGE plus!

    Sarah @ Thinfluenced

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  34. I'm now a follower! And so happy to be!!

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  35. I love that it is low fat-, Gluten Free and Vegan!! That is not always easy to find. I'm trying to eat less gluten these days.

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  36. I love how it is low on the glycemic index - my dad is type 1 diabetic and also occasionally runs, so I will be suggesting this to him (he will usually carry an orange juice with him when he runs - not as easy a gel, thats for sure!)

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  37. I blogged about it!!

    http://operationsize8s.blogspot.com/2011/06/slacker.html

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  38. liked on facebook! and let them know that you sent me!

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  39. the website is super interesting. I like that the creator is an outdoors person/endurance athlete as well and created it with all of us in mind. Plus...I never considered that the other fuels had so much sugar and could lead to problems later!

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  40. just linked the giveaway on my blog! woo hoooooo!!!

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  41. I am a follower :)

    Also I lvoe my SPI Belt and would not know what to do without it!

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  42. I like Chocolate #9 on FB & commented.

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  43. I love that it's sweetened with Agave. I've used this during my HM and love the taste!!

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  44. I liked their facebook page! :)

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  45. Checked out their web site... I like that it sounds like it has a really good flavor without a ton of "weird" stuff in it.

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  46. I liked them on FB and told them that you sent me.

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  47. I posted a link to your giveaway on my blog.

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  48. I visited their website. I like that they offer free shipping and that they talk a lot about how good it tastes. Very important. I hope I win so I can try it!

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  49. I like Chocolate#9 on FB and I told them you sent me.

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  50. I visited their website and I like that Chocolate #9 is vegan and gluten free.

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Because I love hearing from you all!