What do an ugly sweater, a gluten-free protein bar, and two Diamondbacks coaches have in common?

This week we tried a new gluten-free bar called…wait for it…The Gluten Free Bar.

Developed by a gluten-free chef and a gluten-free dietitian, these bars are incredibly tasty and healthy too!  They contain only a few simple ingredients and are chewy, satisfying and packed with protein.  We tried three different flavors: peanut butter, peanut butter chocolate, and cranberry toasted almond.  Joe’s favorite was the peanut butter chocolate, mine was the cranberry toasted almond.  We can’t wait to try the new oatmeal raisin flavor coming out soon.

 

When our box of bars came in the mail, they didn’t arrive alone.  They came with an ugly orange and brown sweater.  The Celiac Awareness Sweater is traveling the country raising money for the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (yes, the same NFCA that we are petitioning to ditch the amber restaurant label. They do lots of good things too!).  For every picture sent in to the Gluten Free Bar’s website, they will donate $1 to the NFCA.

Joe, Leila and I got started on the front porch.  It was 104 degrees outside.

Mom, this sweater is hot!!!

I’m melting.

Then the sweater made it’s way up the road to Scottsdale and the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks minor league training complex.  Two of the coaches had a little posing session on the field.

Jeff Bajenaru, pitching coach for the AZL Diamondbacks (and my sweet husband) posing for the camera.

Gil Heredia, pitching coach for the Missoula Osprey rookie team showing off some stretches.

Y’all, they sent me behind-the-scenes videos of their “photo shoot” and I was on the floor laughing.

So the sweater is on it’s way back to Chicago, but we have a new favorite gluten-free bar in our house.  And now you know just how goofy professional baseball coaches really are.

Would you like win a case of the Gluten Free Bars?  Leave a comment below telling me what flavor you would like to try first!

Bonus entry: Tell me (in a separate comment) who had the better photo shoot, Jeff or Gil?

Contest ends May 31st at 11:59 EST. Winner will be chosen from comments via random.org

Are you interested in donning the Celiac Sweater?  Learn more here.

  • Gluten Dude May 18, 2012 at 8:29 am

    Gotta get my hands on that sweater…and the Bars.

  • Jessie May 18, 2012 at 8:32 am

    HILARIOUS! And really, that is one awful sweater.

  • juniakk @ mis pensamientos May 18, 2012 at 8:38 am

    definitely i would have to say peanut butter chocolate! my favorite combo for anything…. !

  • Julie May 18, 2012 at 9:55 am

    I would love the peanut butter chocolate chip, but would be willing to try any of them! Thanks for posting (and yes, that is one UGLY sweater!) LOL

  • Lillian May 18, 2012 at 12:15 pm

    Cranberry toasted almond sounds nummy!

    I’m a new follower of your blog – didn’t realize until this post that you’re here in the Phoenix area, too! Not sure how you stood enough time in the sweater to get the photo – it is melting temp hot outside. 🙂

  • Vicky May 18, 2012 at 1:07 pm

    They all sound yummy… but chocolate peanut butter anything is my weakness. I’d love to try that one!

  • Vicky May 18, 2012 at 1:11 pm

    For my bonus entry: It depends on how you would define “better”. Jeff’s was better at looking like he was trying to model the sweater for selling purposes. But Gil’s would win my most humorous award.

  • Sarah May 18, 2012 at 1:17 pm

    Hilarious! What sports they were! Alysa, you’re amazing!

  • Susie B. May 18, 2012 at 2:39 pm

    If I win I would give a box of those bars to my sister who has Celiacs. Chocolate Peanut butter sounds yummy.

    Both shoots were pretty stinkin hilarious. I thought it was funny when Jeff posed with his backside. And I loved Gil’s stretch moves. Forget baseball, modeling here they come!!

  • Janetha May 18, 2012 at 2:41 pm

    hahaha oh my gosh, i love ALL the photos! i can’t decide which looks best in the sweater 🙂 probably your kiddos, actually!

  • Melie May 18, 2012 at 7:55 pm

    I’ve tried them all and the cranberry almond is D-E-V-I-N-E. However, my 13 yo is in love with the peanut butter chocolate. This is the only protein bar she’ll eat. Thanks for the contest!

  • Lauren May 18, 2012 at 8:16 pm

    Peanut butter chocolate

  • Lauren May 18, 2012 at 8:17 pm

    Gil’s stretch was funny

  • laura west kong May 19, 2012 at 6:55 am

    I’d have to say the cranberry almond since I can’t have peanuts. They all do sound yummy though. So glad to hear of new healthy gluten-free treats. Thanks for sharing!

  • manda May 19, 2012 at 1:57 pm

    Cranberry looks yummy!

  • Jennifer May 20, 2012 at 10:20 am

    I can never go wrong with chocolate and peanut butter. But the cranberry almond sounds delicious too.

  • Jennifer May 20, 2012 at 10:21 am

    I’m loving the picture of Gil. Lol!

  • Claire May 20, 2012 at 5:23 pm

    I’d love to try Peanut butter chocolate

  • Claire May 20, 2012 at 5:24 pm

    The picture of Gil, lol!!

  • Shannon @AriesMommy May 20, 2012 at 6:54 pm

    You had me at peanut butter chocolate 😉 I would love to try these.

  • Shannon @AriesMommy May 20, 2012 at 6:55 pm

    Jeff…no Gil..no Jeff Ah there were both such good sports.

  • Mike May 21, 2012 at 12:01 pm

    I’d LOVE to share the cranberry toasted almond with my gluten-free, dairy-free, strawberry-free, coconut-free, chicken and the egg-free daughter. It eould make a great blog post!

  • Ken Scheer May 21, 2012 at 12:29 pm

    I want one of those sweaters 🙂

  • Shaunna Ulrick May 21, 2012 at 1:36 pm

    PB and chocolate all the way!

  • Renata May 21, 2012 at 6:42 pm

    Would love to try Cranberry Toasted Almond!

  • Renata May 21, 2012 at 6:49 pm

    Gil is definitely the poser! 😉

  • Georgiana May 22, 2012 at 6:25 am

    Cranberry Toasted Almond would be my pick!

  • Georgiana May 22, 2012 at 6:28 am

    My vote is for Gil! Great shot!

  • Kailey May 22, 2012 at 5:29 pm

    Peanut Butter Chocolate sounds amazing! (although they all sound delish!)

  • Kailey May 22, 2012 at 5:30 pm

    And love the photoshoot, haha! It’s a close call between the two, but Jeff’s pose is so fierce!

  • Ashley May 22, 2012 at 6:47 pm

    I don’t discriminate between yummy and yummy!
    I’d love to try any and all!!

  • Ray May 22, 2012 at 7:22 pm

    Fruit fan – so cranberry would be my choice.

  • Ray May 22, 2012 at 7:23 pm

    Gil – for such a creative & stretching pose position!

  • Allison Waken May 27, 2012 at 8:58 am

    I’d love to try all of them but I think I’d try the cranberry toasted almond first!

  • Erica D. May 29, 2012 at 9:18 am

    I LOVE that sweater (well maybe not in 100 degrees), and also The Gluten Free Bar 🙂 The cranberry toasted almond is the best kind! Thanks for the review!

  • Ken Scheer May 29, 2012 at 2:57 pm

    I would like to try the cranberry bars and Gil’s stretches are pretty entertaining!

  • Product Review: The Gluten-Free Bar June 19, 2012 at 6:25 am

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