Back to School Lunchbox Goodness- Lola Granola Bars #Review + #Giveaway

I don't pack lunchboxes yet, but I am already feeling a bit lost when it comes to sending snacks to school. I have a super picky eater, and B's teachers have noticed that he doesn't seem interested in the snacks they're offering at preschool. Each student is assigned a different snack to bring in each month, and is asked to bring enough for the whole class. We were assigned pretzels for the month of September, and B likes them- the problem is that he doesn't really like some of the other snacks the other children were assigned. He's usually starving by the time he comes home from school just before noon. His teachers are going to allow us to send in special snacks, just for him, to see if it will help encourage him to eat during snack time.

The problem is- what do we send? B isn't used to eating a lot of store bought, pre-packaged food, because we don't buy a lot of it. We make a lot of things from scratch, including snacks. While I was trying to come up with a solution, I remembered his love for granola bars, and was really excited, because we just received a sampler of some pretty amazing granola bars!

Lola Granola Bars were created by Mary Molina, at a time when things were a bit tough for her family. Money was tight for the family, and they were relying on help from food banks, etc. Mary's husband was even eating junk, so the family could save more money. Mary had the idea to make healthy granola bars from scratch, and send them to work with her hubby, so that he would have healthy foods to eat. These granola bars were both gulten and soy free, because of Mary and Ernie's children's allergies. The children loved the granola bars, and after Ernie shared some at work, his co-workers found that they loved the granola bars, as well, and asked to purchase some. Thus, Lola Granola was born, and the Molinas began sharing their tasty granola bars with the world!

I was thrilled for the opportunity to receive a sampler pack of Lola Granola Bars. I love granola- it's what I have for breakfast pretty much every morning. My husband and son also love granola bars, and I try to keep some on hand, because they are a convenient snack, and are 'healthy.' Most granola bars are loaded with sugar, and sometimes other junk (like marshmallows or bits of candy), but Lola Granola Bars are different!

Check out this awesome sampler pack we received from Lola Granola! Five flavors, with two samples of each bar!

B was definitely eager to explore and taste test our yummy Lola Granola Bars. He could hardly keep his hands off of them!

Our samples: The Enzo, The Nathan, The Ruby, The Ellie, The Lola- each flavor bar named after Mary's children and her nephew.

All of the flavors we were sent appealed to me right away. There were even a couple of bars that would be great for my hubby, and I couldn't wait for him to come from work, so he could try one! Several of the granola bars contained fruit, and I knew those would be no-go's for hubby, but I was excited, because I love the combination of fruit and granola!

I first tried The Ruby, and noticed how different Lola Granola Bars are from many other granola bars, right away. Lola Granola Bars are sweetened with honey- delicious, delicious honey! I am a big fan of using honey or Agave to sweeten, so this was a wonderful discovery for me! The honey was so sweet and flavorful, but not overpowering- just the right combination of sweetness and that yummy oat flavor, with yummy bits of cranberries mixed in. In short, this was the most delicious granola bar I had ever tasted.

Breakfast of champions- The Nathan (Lola Granola Bar) and a cup of coffee!

If I am working like crazy during the morning hours, I sometimes lose track of what time it is, and before I know it, it's 9 am, and I still haven't eaten anything. On days like this, I am so glad to have Lola Granola Bars in stock in my pantry, or even in my purse! I can just grab a Lola Granola Bar, and still get that goodness in before lunchtime rolls around.

Look at this beautiful bar beneath the wrapper- oats, honey, blueberries... nothing but goodness!

I wasn't at all surprised that I enjoyed Lola Granola Bars as much as I did. I was a bit surprised, however, that hubby and B liked them so much, too! Hubby couldn't get over the yummy tasting Enzo and Ellie Bars, which both contain nuts. B really enjoyed The Ruby, which came as no surprise- he loves cranberries! B loves the granola bars so much, that they have become the preferred after school snack! We love to cut the bars into bite sized cubes ans have a quick snack together, or have them with our lunch. They're also a great, healthy choice for an afternoon snack with a glass of milk!

Check out this awesome Food Network Feature on Lola Granola with Sunny Anderson!

What Makes It Different?

Powered by Oats and Honey, Lola Granola Bars are delicious gluten free snack bars packed with all natural fiber, protein, Omega 3s, low in sodium, contain no GMOs, soy and dairy free, as well as, locally sourced ingredients. and 31g of 100% Whole Grains per bar!

We love Lola Granola Bars! I can't wait to share Lola Granola with my sister, who happens to be newly adjusting to a gluten-free lifestyle, with my dad, who has to watch his sodium intake, all of of my family, friends, and the moms on the playground. Lola Granola is so yummy, healthy, and you know exactly what's in it, so you can feel as good as I do about sharing these bars with someone you love!

Want Them? Buy Them!

Head on over to Lola Granola to learn more about Mary and the story behind these amazing granola bars! Lola Granola Bars have already won prestigious awards, and have been getting a lot of buzz! Taste one for yourself and you'll see what all the fuss is about! Go here for a list of available retail locations that carry Lola Granola. You can also purchase Lola Granola Bars online. Lola Granola cares about giving back. Check out how they're doing their part to stamp out hunger, on the Lola Granola website. Lola Granola is social and would love to connect with you through Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Want Them? Win Them!

One lucky MBP reader will win a sampler pack of Lola Granola Bars, containing two bars of each flavor, for a total of ten bars! What a delicious giveaway! This giveaway is open to US residents, 18 and older. No PO Boxes, please. Just use the RC giveaway entry form below to enter for your chance to win!

Special thanks to our new friends at Lola Granola for allowing us to sample and share about their delicious, natural granola bars, and for offering this wonderful giveaway for our readers!

Good luck!