Charlotte, Vermont - July 11, 2011
Not all protein bars are made the same and many lack flavor. But two women in Charlotte hope to change minds with their Made in Vermont bars.
Two moms are cooking up a powerful protein concoction in a Charlotte kitchen. "It's not chewy, not crunchy, you're not going to break a tooth -- it doesn't weigh you down," said Monica Marshall, who along with Bageshree Blasius, owns Wholesome Cravings, an all natural protein bar company.
"The texture is like a pumpkin or banana bread so you feel like you're eating something not good for you and naughty, but it's actually really good for you," Blasius said.
The women say they don't want their bars to taste healthy -- But they are. Each has 15 to 17 grams of protein. Typical protein bars contain 7 to 8 grams.
"My idea of a protein bar was a milky way with granola on it and when she had me taste the pumpkin I was like, whoa!" Marshall said.
"There is no flour or sugar in our bars. The basic ingredient is whey protein powder," Blasius said.
Wholesome Cravings bars have a moist, sponge-like consistency. Ingredients like nutmeg and orange zest add flavor. The duo has been selling the bars and bag mixes since March and currently have three flavors. "We have banana, chocolate chip, apple, ginger and pumpkin spice," Blasius said.
The bars cost $2.75 each. The mixes -- $12. And they say the protein packed snacks aren't just for adults -- kids love them too.
"If you want to give to your kids for a snack at school you can freeze them stick them in their lunch box and by snack time it's defrosted," Blasius said.
"My son thinks those are brownies, so we just go with it. Yep, that's a brownie, go ahead, try it," Marshall said.
This reporter was surprised at how yummy they are, considering how good they are for you. They're low carb, sugar-free and the women say, can help lower cholesterol. The handmade bars have a shelf life of seven days or six months in the freezer. Wholesome Cravings sells in stores around Chittenden County for now and hopes to expand soon.
"What mold we're breaking is the protein bar mold. We're a very unique item," Marshall said,
A made in Vermont product that's packing a protein punch.
Gina Bullard - WCAX News
