Why am I typing so exciting about yet another protein bar???? Because this one is sweetened with Truvia!!!!!!!!!

Of course, the demand for this product is so overwhelming that you can’t find them ANYWHERE right now. Online retailers are backordered for weeks and Balance hasn’t gotten them in the stores yet. I did manage to find a box on Amazon this morning..I am sure I overpaid for shipping…but hey…when a work-at-home mom finds something that might make my life easier I am all in!

Right now Nimble bars only come in two flavors; Peanut Butter and Yogurt Orange Swirl.

Here is the nutritional breakdown:

Nutrition Facts Serving Size: 1 Bar (33g) Servings Per Container: 12 Amount Per Serving % Daily Value* Total Calories 120 Calories From Fat 35 Total Fat 4 g 6% Saturated Fat 2 g 10% Trans Fat 0 g Cholesterol 0 mg 0% Sodium 125 mg 5% Total Carbohydrates 14 g 5% Dietary Fiber 5 g 20% Sugars 4 g Show Net Carbs

While I think it’s always best to eat whole, natural foods as often as you can, but my sista-momma’s out there know that sometimes that just ain’t possible. If we are lucky if we might get to stop to pee between morning school drop-off, gymboree, grocery shopping, cleaning the house, doing laundry, feeding and changing the baby, taking care of the pets, trying to work-out and picking up in afternoon carpool. Forget about cooking and sitting down to eat a healthy breakfast or lunch for yourself. Unless you’ve been supermom that week and cooked-ahead.

My true love protein bar is the Kashi Go Lean Roll, but they are super high in sugar so I can’t wait to get a huge box of the peanut butter Nimble bars to stash all over the house and car!

There a few items that I keep in the house that I literally can’t live without. But none as important as the two things I’m about to tell you about.

The first one is a no brainer. Mr. Clean Eraser Sponges. Seriously. These are so bad ass that I used to hoard them and not use them until I really had to. But now I buy this ginormous bin of them at BJ’s once a month and I am a Mr. Clean cleaning machine. Just this morning I cleaned my baseboards with them and also scrubbed the bathtub.

Real Mom’s know it is IMPOSSIBLE to clean with chemicals with small children around. The spray and squirt bottles are just way too interesting to be ignored by a 11 month old. But a plain ol’ white sponge is just plain boring and therefore I can actually get something done as she shadows me all over the house all day.

Secondly..and maybe even more importantly..are Kashi Go Lean Roll bars. Yes, they are a bit high in sugar …but at least it’s from brown rice syrup. Yeah, I know. It’s all the same. But still for me it’s worth the trade off. At 180 calories/5 grams of fat/12 grams of protein/6 grams of fiber it fills me up and stops any crazy craving I am having for the boys Oreo’s all at the same time.

I have these stashed everywhere. In the kitchen, the diaper bag and my handbag. They come in handy at a McDonald’s playdate when I just can’t stomach the thought of eating one their tasteless grilled chicken salads. Ugh. Or in the carpool line when I am waiting on my big boy Kindergartener to come out, and have been so busy with the girl all day, that I don’t realize until that exact moment (2pm) that I have had nothing but Kahlua flavored coffee all day and I am STARVING. Sadly, this happens to me a lot.

It saves me from overeating all the time. And it’s good. It’s a bit too chewy for some people..but that’s why I love them. It takes a minute to eat it and it satisfies that urge to chew that sends so many of us to the big bag of chips.

They also come in handy often late at night when ‘the hubby who loves ice cream’ gets his scoop on. Sometimes just a half of one of these quells my urge to give in the Cherry Garcia.

It’s Friday and I probably won’t be cooking. Especially because the boy is sick and the girl is teething. Hard. It was a rough night at my house last night, so to make myself feel better I’m just going to share some of my favorite pretties with you.

I always love seeing other mom’s ‘must have’ or ‘favorites things’ lists so I think I’ll make this an every Friday thing.

Since I am anxiously awaiting a shipment from my favorite make-up-girly store Sephora I’ll start with beauty items.

I’m not a huge make-up junkie, in fact over the years I’ve narrowed my make-up case down to a few staples and maybe an extra lip gloss or eye shadow here or there. I’ve also found over the years that with make-up you do get what you pay for and 40 year old skin needs better quality products to look young and fresh.

My Make-Up and Beauty Must Have List

Make – Up

Laura Mercier -Tinted Moisturizer – the perfect lightweight foundation with a hint of color. If you don’t like wearing heavy make-up this is for you. Especially great in the summer.

Lancome-  Definicils Mascara – There is no other mascara (and I’ve tried them all) that will make your lashes look longer. It doesn’t curl however, so you may find yourself digging out that eyelash curler. I’ve been using this product for so long I’ve sort of figured out a way to curl my lashes with the applicator as I apply.

Tarte -  Lights Camera Lashes Mascara – My newest must have. A great all around curling and lengthening mascara. Might actually replace Definicils for me. Maybe. It’s hard to let go.

NARS-  The Multiple in Malibu – Use this as a blush, eye shadow and lip stick. Lots of colors to choose from but I like this pinkish brown.

Clinique- Superbalm in Black Honey – Clinique’s cult color now in a moisturizing and very shiny balm. Love.

Too Faced – Natural Eye  Neutral Eye Shadow Collection – Everything you need for daytime natural eyes and even some darker shades for evening (if you ever get to go out. Mine is sadly unused) and black if you want to try powder line your eyes or do that impossible smokey eye the magazines always say is so simple.

That’s it for make-up. 6 products is all I use. I do always have a grey or black eyeliner but have no real preference. I only really put eyeliner on a few times a month.

Skin Care, Hair Care and other various and sundry items after then jump….if you care at this point…

I’d love to hear some of your favorite / must have beauty products! Leave a comment and let’s discuss girl stuff.

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