Picky Bars News

As we swing into Spring, the love affair between Picky Bars and Oiselle continues to flourish. It began with Lauren's official sponsorship, then came "Picky Bird" inspired designs, and now we're proud to present our furthest integration yet: Edible Picky Bird Wings by Oiselle! These fashion-forward beauties uphold the style and swagger you expect from Oiselle, and the delicious nutrition you love from Picky Bars—while on the run!

The idea came to us while Sally (CEO of Oiselle), Lauren, and the rest of us were all out on a run. Lauren got a wicked craving for Picky Bars—but didn't want to stop to eat. "I'm so hungry, I wish I could just eat my sleeve and keep running," she said. "Wait! What if you could!?!" answered Sally—raising her eyebrow like a mad scientist planning world domination. Everyone stopped and looked at each other. "Edible sleeves made of Picky Bars!" We all said at once—in unison. Fits of laughter and jumping for joy followed immediately as we realized this idea would change the world—forever. Edible, fashionable clothing and nutrition IN ONE, for runners on the go. You're welcome.

Be first in line to get your Picky Bird Wings by signing up for our pre-sale with the form below! Stay tuned for our next edition of this line: the Edible Picky Bars Full-Body Wind Suit!

Happy April everyone,

Your Picky Crew,

Lauren, Jesse, Steph, Loren, Patrick, and Laurel

This is a recipe by one of our most awesome Picky Bar fans, Lisa McClellan—who writes a blog called RunWiki.org. She was so kind to let us use her recipe and blog post on our website. Thanks so much Lisa! You freaking rock, dude!!!

Mini Gluten Free Peanut Butter Pie

By Lisa McClellan

I am a huge fan of Picky Bars (see my review HERE), and I also love to play with my food, so one morning when I was eating one of these energy bars, this recipe popped into my head. Let me brag for a moment… this recipe is insanely good and, if you love desserts as much as I do, you must try. It is really simple and it makes a mini/individual pie, so you don’t need to worry about over eating or having to share with anyone else. 

The Picky Bar Mini Gluten Free Peanut Butter Pie

What you will need…

a small dish, bowl or ramekin

cooking spray

1- Picky Bar

3 Tablespoons of Cream Cheese; I also tried it with Pumpkin flavored CC (for vegans, substitute with Follow Your Heart cream cheese or alternative)

2 Tablespoons of Peanut or Sunflower butter

2 teaspoons or to taste of Agave syrup, honey or maple syrup

3 Tablespoons of milk or milk alternative

1 teaspoon of chopped nuts or mini chocolate chips (optional)

Whipping cream (optional)

Take your small dish or ramekin and lightly mist with non-stick cooking spray (be conservative).

Using your thumb and forefinger, squish your Picky Bar down into the dish and gently push up toward the rim of the bowl. Set aside.

In a separate mixing bowl, blend the cream cheese, nut butter, agave syrup and milk until smooth and creamy.If you like it more sweet add more syrup. Add more milk to thin if needed.

Pour into your Picky Bar “crust.”

Freeze for one hour or until firm.

Set out for 5 min. and allow to soften. EAT and enjoy!

This no bake, gluten free desert is out of this world and so easy to make! The crust is chewy carmel like and the filling is creamy and cold. I topped mine with crushed cashews, whip cream and a drizzle of carmel sauce.

We are so proud to announce our sponsorship of Team Run Eugene! (Our first financial sponsorship ever!) As our own Lauren Fleshman put it, “Team Run Eugene is exactly the kind of post-collegiate club our running community needs. With individual athlete sponsorships decreasing, we are losing a frightening amount of talent and depth. Team Run Eugene captures and develops talent, but they don't stop at the track. Their presence in our community will be noticeable, and athletes will develop usable skills for life after sport. Picky Bars is a very small business, and giving during times like these is a challenge, but this idea is worth digging deep for.”

Team Run Eugene is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing the support necessary for aspiring professional runners who otherwise would not have the opportunity to continue their training post-collegiately. They enhance the running and broader communities through fostering and supporting talent, and through the promotion of running as part of a healthy and active lifestyle.

Please check out the TRE site, what they do for our community, and consider donating to this amazing non-profit and their promising athletes.

Thanks so much for your support. Stay Picky.

Your Picky Crew,

Lauren, Jesse, Steph, Loren, Patrick, and Laurel

Okay so we obviously have trouble "leaving our work at the office" —but who wants to when you get to dress in tights and capes? A famous quote we like to remember is, "capes are never a bad idea." Proven true again last night (it's freaking science, dude).

 
Who called about the gluten disturbance?

Those are cowboy boots.

Pat, dancing on his tippies.

Yep that's Loren, Lauren, Jesse, and Patrick representing our four flavors—but who's to the left? I'm sure some of you remember the "It's freaking science, dude" comma crisis. We used to be comma-less until it was brought up that without one, we were technically referring to a "dude of freaking science" or a "freaking science dude." We've since changed our ways, but for the record, he does exist. Yep, that's him. Boots, hat, glasses, lab coat and all. Booyah.

"Capes are never a bad idea."

The Picky Boys... getting serious.

Trick or treat biznash! 

"FACT!" Freaking Science Dude loves facts.

Everyday he's shufflin'.

Besties. Just look at those pretty eyes. 

Can't read my poker face.

We met up with Laurel—or is that Poison Ivy? Matt (her husband) was Captain America. He did not fail to remind me that those two comic book heroes are not part of the same universe. We know, Matt. We know.

Probably time for another butt shot. "Ya, he must work out."

If you were wondering what was underneath Jesse's helmet.

The Picky Bar Heroes love the Blair Alley. 

That's all she wrote folks. See ya next time!

Your Picky Crew,

Lauren, Jesse, Steph, Loren, Patrick, and Laurel

We're psyched to finally have what we consider our first legit "retail ready" product! We're hoping this will help us land in more big boy retailers like Market of Choice, Whole Foods, REI, etc., to give you more convenient options to eat Picky! It also means things are changing for online orders:

1) Simplified ordering options.
We now offer 10 bar flavor boxes (that's right, you get the box!), a 10 bar mixed pack, a 4 bar sampler pack, and as always, our club membership.

2) Shipping is now charged separately.
With our new boxes, we wanted you (and future customers) to know how much the bars actually cost when comparing us to other (not nearly as good and fun) alternatives.

As always, thanks for support as we change and grow! You make it all possible!

Your Picky Crew,

Lauren, Jesse, Steph, Loren, Patrick, and Laurel

So what's up with Steph these days? A whole freaking lot, dude. Between her last race of the season and the most important day of her life both happening within two weeks this month, she's got her plate full. But it's nothing she can't handle :). Read her latest status and leave her some congratulatory comments!

"My last race of the season is this Monday at the Women's US 10k Champs in Boston. I've fallen short of some of my goals this year but that's all part of the journey of running. I've learned a lot about myself as an athlete, grown stronger and looked at the big picture. I'm thankful for my support crew of Team USA AZ, coach Greg, my physio peeps Kym Wilkens,JB, Tim O'Neil for the strength program that I get booty compliments about, Adidas for providing me with endless sweet kicks, Ben my #1, and Picky Bars duh, for fueling my 90 mile weeks and 4 hour plane trips when no allergy free snack is in sight.

Is my year done after 10k champs? Absolutely not! First: break time in Vegas then I have the biggest event to look forward to as my wedding is in 3 weeks (what?! yep Oct 26th). As a bonus, I get to marry the greatest man on the planet: Ben. Double bonus of the wedding is Lauren will be walking next to me as a bridesmaid woohoo! After the craziness of wedding events calm down I will get back in the swing of things and start training for my winter marathon (TBA).

Thanks for all the support during my fall racing season. Keep your stories, adventures, Picky bar favorites, and comments coming our way. 

Stay Picky people!"

—Steph

Check out Steph's Wedding website here: mywedding.com/stephanieben

After the trials I hit the road for 2 weeks with my bud (Picky Eater) Hallie Roberts. We flew to LA to pick up my VW Camper Van from my parent's place (Flotrack video tour is online if you want it) and cruised up the California coast, hiking in Big Sur, soaking in hot springs, rock climbing in yosemite and mammoth Lakes, bummed out in my campsite with one of my running heroes (America's beloved olympic silver medalist Deena Kastor), jumped in a bunch of Oregon Lakes and landed the van back in Eugene for safe keeping.

The very next day I flew to Hawaii for a friends' ridiculously fun wedding and got blessed by Archbishop Desmond Tutu in the process (long story). My Aussie buddy Georgie Clarke met up with me and we continued our nine year tradition of meeting up at random places on Earth and having too much fun that all started when we met on the European track circuit.

I hung out with some friends in Seattle, visited my folks in Santa Clarita, CA, crashed Jesse's swim camp in Santa Monica at Tower 26, and just got back from a week on the East Coast visiting my friend Ro who co-authored the Believe I Am Training Journal with me...we had some biznass to attend to, and a wedding of a new Zealand buddy of ours. At least 12 Irish people attended, which ensured it was a "real party."

I gave running a big rest, and pretty much forsake all aerobic exercise in the name of healing. But, all along the way I've been doing a comprehensive rehab program set by Dr. John Ball from Maximum Mobility in Phoenix and getting treatment from people I trust most. I'm happy to report that after 7 months of not being able to run further than 6 minutes without knee pain, things have started to get noticeably better! I'm back on my feet running 4 milers about 4 days a week and you better believe I'm loving every step!

Huge thanks to Jenny Hadfield for telling Time Health writer Alexandra Sifferlin about Picky Bars. In this article on the Best Foods for Runners, Picky Bars was the only 'product' featured. Boom. Then, the article was the most popular and most emailed story on all of time.com. Double boom. Thanks for all the support everyone!

After all the surveys, delays, and anticipation... after all the blood, sweat, and tears... after ziplocking and stickering over 100,000 bars... our new bar wrappers are finally here—and they look freaking awesome. BOOOOOOYAAAH!

These bad-ace wrappers use 100% recycled paper on the outside and a micro-thin high moisture-barrier film on the inside that keeps our bars super fresh. They're printed with 100% water-based inks and adhesives, and are made 100% in the U.S. by U.S. employee owned company. Thanks LabelTech (check out their eco-ness).

We want to thank all of you again for you amazing feedback during this process. This is another huge move towards spreading the Picky Revolution and it wouldn't have happened without your support and choice to eat Picky. You guys freaking rock!

(P.S. We're still running through our old inventory so don't be alarmed if you get our old ziplocks in the next few weeks)