u/lostveggies

my tried and true, but i added walnuts since my friend requested them!!

first time finding the PSL barebells so i’m excited to try!! only got the built puff cause i get cash back (and i like them lol, but i have an online order incoming so i really didn’t need) 😛

what’s been your latest protein bar pickup?

2 built puff cookie dough chunks (never tried this flavor but it was on sale)

blueberry legendary poptarts - one of my favorites and haven’t had it in a while

and a new to me magic spoons protein treats - heard good things about it but didn’t want to commit to a full box!

and then the other gas station nonsense lol

i wasn’t super over the moon about any of the flavors this week, buttt i was excited about the ice cream sandwich one (though i didn’t go into it with the expectation of it tasting like ice cream cause….. how would one do that?). anyways, here are my thoughts on the ones i tried:

dubai brownie was for my sister, so i can’t give a rating! she did say “it’s always good”, but i’m not a dubai lover.

cookies & cream: 7/10
pretty lackluster and i wish mine was a little softer!! it didn’t really stand out to me and i wish the white chips were more prevalent. i was really hoping for the hersheys version instead of this one cause of the toppings on that one, but oh well!!

ice cream cake sandwich: 8.9/10
i know the opinion is mixed on this one, but if you go into it understanding that it’s just a sugar cookie, i think you’ll enjoy!! i LOVE sugar cookies and this one is exactly what i want pink sugar cookie to be. sweet? yes, but i don’t expect anything less. i’m considering going back this week to get some to freeze!

snickerdoodle skillet cookie: 7.2/10
it was a little bland/boring to be honest! i enjoyed the mousse on top and i think it added a nice touch to the cookie, but the base itself is nothing exciting and was a little dry.

based on the spoilers, i’m not really excited about next week or the week after (besides trying blueberry muffin if that is true), so i’m more tempted to go back this week and stack up the ice cream cake sandwich!! one of my stores also has the waffle cookie so i might try that one as well 😋

MACROS: 20 grams protein for 220 calories

this bar has BY FAR exceeded my expectations!! i’m so used to companies saying “banana” and it tastes like artificial nonsense (the only exception is banana laffy taffy iykyk lol) and while this bar had a *hint* of artificial banana, it wasn’t nearly as grotesque as i was imagining. the flavor of barebell bars in general are usually on point and this one was no different, phenomenal especially with the little crunchy bits.

9/10 and i will definitely be buying again! this is the kinda flavor that i might not crave too often, but it will hit the spot for sure when i am.

had to repost cause my legs were showing 😃

yuhh trader joe’s, whole foods, and walmart!! obviously love my snacks, but needed a bunch of basics. i honestly think i got a good mix/balance?? though a lot of snacks and baking stuff since im CONSTANTLY baking.

for context: i live alone and my apartment was practically completely empty!! my utilities turned off for a bit so everything in the fridge and freezer went bad and i had to go a while until i could afford to go again, so we went a little berserk 😭😭

i don’t normally buy so much at once, but this should last me hopefully till october!!

for context: i live alone and my apartment was practically completely empty!! my utilities turned off for a day or so, so everything in the fridge and freezer went bad and i had to go two weeks until i could afford to go again, so we went a little berserk 😭😭 ignore the dog treats in the trader joe’s one lol

walmart was around $100 (unpictured quest chips x2) and then trader joe’s was around $50!! i probably won’t be going again for 3 weeks or to just get little things i need!

and before i get a comment like “where’s the meat? where’s the protein?”…i’m vegetarian and i also completely forgot to get greek yogurt even though it was on my list so i’ll end up back to get it when i leave the house next.

thankfully i’m not even planning to go today cause i want to see what the general consensus is, but…. 😃 every week, i sit back and “patiently” (not really) wait for the reviews to start flooding in lol

trying to decide if i should get the oatmeal one and/or unicorn cake!

MACROS: 15 grams protein for 160 cals

YUMM!! it has two little cookie chunks on top which i thoroughly enjoyed because it added to the soft marshmallow texture. the pumpkin flavor had the perfect amount of spice and i appreciate the lower cals. HOWEVER is this even considered a protein bar given the lack of complete protein source?? so with that being said, i can’t decide if id buy it again or not. the flavor: phenomenal. the lack of a complete protein: not so great so…

7.5/10 given the matter and i might buy again just if i wanted a pumpkin flavor fix, but not if i wanted to reach for an actual protein bar.

mehhh. it’s refreshing, yes, but definitely lacking in flavor! i don’t typically go for blooms and tend to lean towards ghost, bang, sometimes reign, and alanis but i do enjoy blooms apple crisp flavor so i thought id give it a try.

pear flavor is subtle. i probably wouldn’t buy again, but i also don’t hate it. maybe a 7/10!

to preface, i don’t know if this is new, but i’ve never seen it before and as a coffee lover, i had to pick it up!

safe to say it’s very very disappointing 😭🫩 literally the coffee/espresso flavor is nonexistent and the supposed “vanilla crème filling” was minimal. it just tasted like a caramel filled chocolate bar, a decent one yes, but not what i paid for. i wouldn’t buy again just for the fact that it promises something that it doesn’t deliver.

so that obviously called for some pumpkin spice overnight oats 🧡

for when you want a quick breakfast that captures the coziness of fall: pumpkin spice overnight oats!! let’s get into it:

1/2 cup oats (or however much you’d like, but just increase everything else)
1 tbsp chia seeds
1/4 tsp vanilla bean paste
1/4 cup greek yogurt
1/4 cup pumpkin
heaping 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice (or blend of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, etc)
2/3 cup milk of choice
optional: you can add some protein powder

just mix all the above in a jar, then shake and mix until well combined. put in the fridge overnight, then enjoy the next morning 🎃

i actually tried this for the first time AGES ago, but figured i’d still share my thoughts now that i officially logged it into my notes app review folder!!

MACROS: 20 grams for 180 calories

if you go into it without expecting your typical poptart, it's actually really good especially for 20 grams of protein)!! the texture is much thicker than your usual poptart, but the cinnamon flavor is on point and I’d definitely buy again and now am on a mission to try the other flavors/legendary products (I’m eyeing the mac and cheese). I will say they are a bit drier than I had anticipated and definitely have a heavy artificial taste (but i don’t mind it cause i’m used to all the fake sugar tastes and such), but i love dry stuff so I don’t mind.

Brown Sugar Cinnamon: 7.5/10
Blueberry: 7.75/10 - i like the blueberry a little better! still artificial, but it tastes “brighter” so to speak 💙

okay this was requested quite a bit so now i’m finally sharing!! i think next time, i will add a bit more biscoff (so feel free to add more than what i mentioned here) or i might even try a white chocolate blondie base instead of the brownie because i think a blondie would bring out the biscoff flavor better. REGARDLESS, here’s the recipe:

226 grams butter, unsalted
350 grams granulated sugar
120 grams all purpose flour
90 grams unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp each, baking powder and espresso powder
vanilla (measured with the heart)
4 eggs
250 grams semi sweet chocolate chips
crushed biscoff cookies (plus save some to top)

then for the cheesecake layer:
16 oz cream cheese, room temp
120 grams granulated sugar
2 tbsps all purpose flour
vanilla
cinnamon
~200 grams biscoff or cookie butter plus more to dollop (slightly melted so it’s smooth and easy to spread)
2 eggs, room temp
60 grams heavy cream

start making your brownie layer by combining the sugar and butter over medium heat on the stove until smooth. then remove from the heat and let it cool slightly before mixing in the dry ingredients. now let it cool completely before adding in the eggs and vanilla. lastly fold in the chocolate chips and crushed biscoff cookies, then set aside and make the cheesecake layer.

for the cheesecake layer, just beat the cream cheese until smooth and add in the sugar and flour, mix again, then add the vanilla, heavy cream, and biscoff. finally beat in the eggs a little at a time until completely smooth.

now we assemble and bake!! using a 9x13 pan that’s lined with parchment paper, spread about 1/2 of the brownie batter to the bottom, then add your cheesecake batter, then dollop the remaining brownie batter throughout the cheesecake layer. add some swirls of biscoff and extra biscoff cookies, then bake at 350 for about 40 mins until the edges are set. remove from the oven and let it cool completely, then cover and put in the fridge for at least 4 hours but overnight would be better (makes for a better texture i find).

slice, enjoy and if you’re feeling nice… share (though i completely understand if you choose not to) 🥹🤍

literally so unnecessary and what’s even worse is that i SHOULD be saving my $$$ for more important things like a new bed and mattress, but instant gratification appeals my ADHD so here we are 🫩

anyways, i went to 5 below to find the fall drizzilicious and they DID NOT HAVE! i should’ve just left but like…. 👀👀

pure protein and the chocolate biscuit squares are from TJMaxx cause it was right next door and i wanted to get some dog treats oopsss

from 5 below and then the pure protein bars are from TJMaxx for like $4 which is great cause $1/bar is amazing (i’ll see if it’s worth it after trying lol)

I’m particularly excited about the banana bread barebells cause I’ve heard good things, so i did buy two of them 😛 I need to get on top of sharing my reviews, so stay tuned!

my favorite brownie recipe with chocolate chips and biscoff cookies mixed in, then a layer of biscoff cheesecake batter, then dollops of biscoff and more chips and cookies to top!!

next time i will have to add significantly more biscoff though because the flavor wasn’t really as strong as i would’ve wanted (but maybe it was hidden/competing with the intense chocolate flavor??) 🤔 still happy with how it turned out and snuck myself two pieces before giving to my sister (i promised i’d bake her something) 😋

i swear i’m gonna start an experiment tonight and try to stay up till 11 to see if that helps me sleep a little later. i’m getting so annoyed with this sleep. ANYWAYS, slept from 9 to midnight but finally decided to make my plate at 4, so here’s what i’m having:

a small piece of sourdough with light cream cheese and buffalo sauce (don’t ask, idk lol. but yes, it’s delicious)

daily hi-chew

the LAST of my chocolate

1/4 of a blueberry donut

carrots

greek yogurt bowl with frozen blueberries, cinnamon, and cap’n crunch (was gonna do cheerios but the cap’n crunch was more appealing this morning)

and my trusty energy drink though it does absolutely nothing for my energy levels

HAPPY TUESDAY YALL 🤍

i woke up SO hungry this morning and idk why! regardless, here’s what i’m munching on:

protein fiber coffee cause i’m badly constipated
popcorn with nutritional yeast, garlic, black pepper
1/4 of a donut
1 hi-chew
chocolate squares
and sourdough with light butter and garlic

can’t wait to go grocery shopping next week 😩

we 🤍 beige 😻 here’s what i’m munching on this morning:

a greek yogurt japanese “cheesecake” - i so badly wanted to enjoy and finish this, but i put in a few mini nilla wafers before putting it in the fridge and unfortunately that ruined the texture cause it turned into this soft chunky bits and my sensory issues are not a fan (this was my first time making).

toast with light butter and garlic

hi-chew of course

2 birthday cake sandwich cookies

chocolate hazelnut squares

and my trusty energy drink

happy sunday everyone and i hope you all have a great week 🌞