April showers bring…a delicious new seasonal drink! Flavor is in full bloom with our Cherry Limeade – now available at ALL Protein Bar locations.

BBF recently launched their INNER DIVAS Dance Series, a monthly class with instructor April Shipp. Each month, April teaches a 90-minute dance class to a song by a different “diva” – incorporating ]]>
Here at Protein Bar we’re always looking for new, innovative ways to get our SWEAT on! Variety is essential for an effective exercise routine – so we’re excited to share a new class from our pals at Barre Bee Fit!

BBF recently launched their INNER DIVAS Dance Series, a monthly class with instructor April Shipp. Each month, April teaches a 90-minute dance class to a song by a different “diva” – incorporating her own choreography inspired by the official music videos. She has taught Beyonce’s “Run the World (Girls)” and Britney’s “I’m a Slave 4 U”, and this month will be going old school diva with Janet Jackson’s “Rhythm Nation”. The Inner Divas classes are not just a great workout, but a genuinely fun time, and an opportunity to acquire some serious moves to show off on the dance floor!

The next session is Saturday, April 20th — sign up is available via Barre Bee Fit under “Events”.

How long have you been with Protein Bar? I started ]]> Where are you from? And how did you end up here?
Born in DC @ Howard University Hospital, I’ve lived in Silver Spring, Maryland and DC all of my life. I needed a great job, near my school (Howard University), and by my house. How awesome that I found a job on the same street that I live and go to school on.

How long have you been with Protein Bar?
I started with PB in late July for the opening of PQ. It’s been 8 beautiful months.

Biggest Passions?
I can honestly say one of my biggest passions is pleasing others. I love to make people laugh, smile, and feel amazing. One of my other passions, cooking, helps me do that. I also love the theatre and performing any chance I get.

A goal you have achieved that you are proud of?
Becoming a Team Lead at 19; that’s pretty cool.

What’s your personal motto?
Everything happens for a reason.

Do you have any unique talents?
I do great impressions.

Something surprising about you?
I’m tri-lingual. I speak English, Spanish, and Arabic.

What is the scariest thing you have ever done?
Got on the shockwave, a ride at king’s dominion, I’m a wimp; I didn’t ride rollercoasters until I was about 15 years old.

What is the coolest thing about your PB team?
We are literally a huge quinoa- lovin’ family. We have our ups and downs, but no matter what we always support one another. When one of us fails, all of us fail. We’re the ultimate wolf pack.

If you could eat one PB item forever what would it be?
Hi-5 with acai berry, apple, blueberries, flax, and chia seed. Yumm-Oh

If you could add one item to the PB menu what would it be?
Mangoes. Who doesn’t love a good mango?

If you could manage a Protein Bar anywhere in the world where would it be?
Jamaica, its so beautiful and serene.

Blair’s LOVE List 

Word—Hoopla
Magazine—Cosmo
Musician—I have a few. Top 3: Adele, Kanye West, Beyonce
TV Show—Modern Family is hilarious
Movie—Grease, Dirty Dancing, The Notebook
Website—Hulu.com
Place in the world—Thrift Stores
Way to spend your Saturday mornings—An amazing brunch and some light thrifting.
Restaurant—An amazing thai restaurant called Tara Thai.
Way to work out—Cycling
Way to celebrate—Dressing up, going out to dinner, than a night out on the town.

Sweatmaster aka Rob Lekan

As Spring approaches, (no, I swear it is. It really really is), most people look to get back to the swing of things for summer. ]]> Spring is finally here! Team Protein Bar is doing a little spring cleaning and asked some of our favorite SWEAT SQUAD friends to weigh-in on how to spring into healthy habits AND make the most of the season.

FIT Tips & Tricks for Spring

Sweatmaster aka Rob Lekan

As Spring approaches, (no, I swear it is. It really really is), most people look to get back to the swing of things for summer. One thing to remember is what is spring? It is a time of rebirth and of renewal. A time to wake the senses up from the hibernation of winter. If you’ve been a bit stagnant all winter long, as many of us have, start retooling your body. Stretching, whether its a yoga class, on your own, look for a sense of mobility in your body. Work the kinks out it, learn what its like to not worry about slipping on ice again when walking. Indulge in more vegetables, (oh look farmers markets right around the corner), they will be fresher, more local and will help your body regain some vitality lost in the winter time. And best of all, reset your goals or make a new set of them before summer is here, make sure you are ready to enjoy all that warmth and nature has to offer.

Suzanne Ko of SKo-Fit

As we inch closer towards spring (whenever Mother Nature cooperates!), it is time to start with a clean slate with our kitchen. Make room in your fridge and pantry, but throwing out items that need to get tossed and giving it a good wipe down. You may find items in there you forgot about!

Barre Bee Fit

Choose a healthy habit that you want to form. We encourage this to be a positive addition to your life — i.e., eating a salad each day, drinking 8 glasses of water each day, taking 5 minutes each day to write down something you are grateful for. Remember, you want this habit to be realistic and sustainable — something you could feasibly do every day for the rest of your life. This challenge is about doing little things that could have a huge overall impact. Think really hard about what you want to accomplish! 

The Dailey Method – Elmhurst

This Spring welcome a healthy, lasting habit into your life by learning to ENJOY the habit itself!  We often focus on negatives (what we don’t love about our bodies) or distant goals (striving to be/achieve/look better) when a real practice is about RIGHT NOW.  Embracing & breathing through challenges, engaging deeply, creating balance, connecting mind/body, being present – these are all aspects of a healthy physical practice and a healthy life. And these are all about being here now. Enjoy the habit!

Inez Sobczak of Fit-Nez – Arlington, VA

Just Say No!  Willpower is like a muscle; work it and you get stronger.  Yes, I know, “just say no” is horrible & naive advice, right?  Yeah, except for one thing – it works.  Maybe instead of just saying “no,” I should recommend, “just say no and then replace”. Listen, willpower is linked with awareness.  And we need to be aware of what we eat and how we act if we desire certain outcomes. Awareness and willpower lead to habits.  And good habits are what we’re after.

Many people in the veg-community (vegetarian, pescetarian, vegan or plant-based) know that Protein Bar has many viable options. There is the infamous Vegan Original – a veganized version of PB’s most popular bar-rito, The Original featuring black beans, quinoa, chicken, cheddar cheese and cilantro. You’ve also got the Superfood Vegan Salad and Green City Vegan Bar-rito — easily identified as vegan by the name. But ]]> Marcy’s Top 5 Vegan PB Meals

Many people in the veg-community (vegetarian, pescetarian, vegan or plant-based) know that Protein Bar has many viable options. There is the infamous Vegan Original – a veganized version of PB’s most popular bar-rito, The Original featuring black beans, quinoa, chicken, cheddar cheese and cilantro. You’ve also got the Superfood Vegan Salad and Green City Vegan Bar-rito — easily identified as vegan by the name. But what about the rest of the menu? No one (not even vegans) likes going to a restaurant that only has a few options.

Below are my top 5 (not-so-obvious) vegan Protein Bar meals that are delicious, satiating and nearly 80% plant-based!

Number 5: Guac & Roll Bar-rito

The Guac & Roll comes with chicken, avocado, tomato, onion, super 6 salad mix, and house-made cilantro-lime dressing. Order it without the chicken or substitute the chicken for tofu and you’ve got yourself a Vegan Guac & Roll! Not into the soy thing? Or, feeling zesty? Substitute black beans for chicken and you won’t skimp out on the protein!

Something to note here is that almost all of Protein Bar’s dressings are vegan, pesto being the only exception. This is very rare for a restaurant, let alone a quick-serve spot and is usually assumed that a creamy dressing has a dairy base. Not the case at PB!

Number 4: Buffalo Bowl

Vegan Buffalo? Really?

Really! Normally featuring quinoa, chicken, carrots, celery, cucumbers, blue cheese, and house-made buffalo dressing, all you have to do is take out the chicken and blue cheese and you might be ordering one to take home for later! You can substitute tofu for the chicken (but even without it, the quinoa still makes for a high-protein meal.)

If you love this as much as I do, be sure to check out the Buffalo Bar-rito and the Buffalo Salad!

Number 3: Denver Scramble

I know a scramble without eggs sounds silly, but with only 180 calories, a vegan Denver Bowl is a great, energizing breakfast that won’t slow you down. It is normally served with egg whites, broccoli, tomatoes, onions and cheddar cheese. So, all you have to do is substitute quinoa in place of egg whites and vegan cheese for cheddar. Add a little kick with cholula (you can thank me later!)

Want something even lighter? Leave off the vegan cheese and this meal will weigh in at 110 calories. Tilting your head wondering why I’m offering a lighter option? For a heavier duty meal, go for a vegan Denver Bar-rito, instead!

Number 2: South Açai’d/Politics Açai’d

If you are anything like me, you can appreciate a blended beverage as a substitute for a solid meal. It’s easier than having to sit down and eat with a fork or spoon and half of the work is done for you. Give your digestive system a break with a South Açai’d (if you’re in Chicago) or a Politics Açai’d (if you are in DC). Featuring soy yogurt*, vanilla soy protein*, açai berry and banana, this is by far my favorite Signature Drink at Protein Bar! And, if you are a chocolate fan like me, try it with chocolate protein powder instead of vanilla! And, if you’re soy-conscious or just love some good fat in your diet, substitute avocado for yogurt.

*you’ll have to specify your soy selections when you order.

Number 1: Southwest Salad

Not just customer preferred, but the Southwest Salad is my absolute favorite! I love the look on customer’s faces when they realize that it can be catered to almost any dietary restriction. Super 6 salad mix, black beans, quinoa, chicken, tomatoes, avocado and cholula. It is naturally gluten-free and to make it vegan just leave out the chicken or substitute tofu and request vegan cheese for cheddar. If you’re looking for less kick, try it with the house-made Creamy Chia or Cilantro-Lime Dressings (Baja Salad, anyone?)

Hungry yet?!

These vegan options aren’t just for strict-dieters, these are great options for anyone looking for healthy meals that won’t induce a food coma. As busy people, it is far too often that we have to sacrifice something; health, quality, time, money, etc. The above healthful options won’t slow you down, leave you feeling hungry, nor will they break the bank.

See you soon!

About Marcy: Protein Bar Training and Development Manager, vegan, nutrition expert, knitting fiend — guest blogger Marcy is here to help fans find new ways to do healthy…healthier! 

How long have you been with Protein Bar? 8 Weeks

Biggest Passions? The Arts, food, music, and gardening

If you had to describe yourself in one word what would it be? Driven

A goal you have achieved that you are proud of? Went back ]]> Where are you from? And how did you end up here?
Born and Raised in Kentucky. Fell in love with the magic of Chicago, so sold the house in Nashville and moved here in 2001

How long have you been with Protein Bar?
8 Weeks

Biggest Passions?
The Arts, food, music, and gardening

If you had to describe yourself in one word what would it be?
Driven

A goal you have achieved that you are proud of?
Went back to school at the age of 34 to become a Massage Therapist

What’s your personal motto?
Practice makes Permanent

Something surprising about you?
I’m a huge country music fan and worked with Garth Brooks while living in Nashville. Also performed at the Grand Ole Opry

What is the scariest thing you have ever done?
Spent the night alone in a cemetery.

What is the coolest thing about your PB team?
How passionate and eclectic everyone is. They are the heart and soul of the PB brand!

If you could eat one PB item forever what would it be?
Black bean bowl with Chicken, Cilantro, and BBQ sauce

If you could add one item to the PB menu what would it be?
A healthy protein infused piece of bacon!

If you could manage a Protein Bar anywhere in the world where would it be?
On the beach in Bora Bora

Russ’ LOVE List

Word—Plethora
Magazine—Bon Appetit
Musician—Marc Broussard
TV Show—This is too much to ask because it changes daily. Currently the Walking Dead and Smash
Movie—Joyeux Noel
Website—You Tube for sure. It’s such an amazing time suck!
Place in the world—The family farm in KY
Way to spend your Saturday mornings—Lots of coffee, a pastry, and the newspaper. Wait…..how old am I?
Restaurant—Spiaggia
Way to work out—TRX Suspension Training
Way to celebrate—With friends over food and a great bourbon