I am loving this column (as I hope you are) because I’m discovering so many awesome brands that are SoCal based. I always knew I lived in the best area but I didn’t realized it was such a hotbed for great brands. The more you know!

One of my favorite recent discoveries is Rise Bars. I noticed these at my local Whole Foods and then discovered they were based in Irvine. Irvine! So that I could sample the various flavors, Rise Bars was kind enough to mail me a variety case. Let me tell you, that is a plethora of bars!

 How bout we neaten that pile up a bit?

There are three varieties of bars: breakfast, energy, and protein. The breakfast bars have one of the largest selection of flavors which excited me to no end. You see, I get up very early in the morning because I have an early start time at my day job (sadly blogging does not pay the bills). I’m always looking for a quick and easy breakfast that I can eat in the car on the way to work. Enter Rise Breakfast Bar.

I’ve been eating these every morning and they are perfect! Not only are they delicious but they’re filling, too. After eating one of these babies I’m good to go until my mid-morning snack. Love it.

And with flavors like Crunchy Macadamia Pineapple, Crunchy Cashew Almond, and Crunchy Cranberry there’s plenty of variety available so I don’t get bored.

And to go one step further all Rise Bars are kosher, gluten free, soy-free, peanut-free, and vegetarian. You said a mouthful, toots!

I;m so happy to have found (local brand!) Rise Bars! Check em out at Whole Foods or on their website so you can enjoy them, too.