B-LAB — energy gel

They are tropical and pokey and sweet and juicy… they are full of sunshine color and fun to eat and NOT fun to peel!  What do we speak of? The PINEAPPLE of course!!  B-LINE natural energy has added to our family a pineapple ginger delight for athletes!  Why did we add such a delectable delight you ask? Welp, it is because we care about our athletic peeps and their post workout recovery!

There are so many things that I learn while researching all the pieces, parts and ingredients of B-LINE natural energy and pineapple has been no different.  For instance, Pineapple is a great source of Vitamin C.  This fact may not be a great surprise, but what I found interesting is that Vitamin C is an antioxidant that is not just good for staving off the common cold by boosting the immune system, but Vitamin C also helps repair and maintain cartilage and bone (which is a huge benefit to athletes).  The Vitamin C in pineapple also promotes healthy inflammation response and has been also referred to as an “anti-inflammatory” which, post work out, can help with muscle and joint soreness.  Amazingly Vitamin C also improves the body’s response to stressful environments.  This may seem insignificant, but keeping the stress hormone levels stable with the food we eat can assist in preventing autoimmune and respiratory diseases- keeping the athlete on top of their game for longer!  An additional property of Vitamin C in pineapple for athletes is the promotion of tissue growth and healing (especially when paired with protein and HEY! we did that too).

For an athlete, a pineapple can provide 22 grams of good complex carbohydrates for quick and healthy energy to re-fuel after a workout.  Bromelain (an enzyme specific to the pineapple) reduces strains, sprains, joint pain and inflammation that is essential in post workout recovery.  The sweet, bright fruit of pineapple also contains small amounts of several other nutrients including vitamin A and K, a variety of B vitamins (that help with blood flow), calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus potassium and copper, and don’t forget those carbs for energy.  An additional piece of the pineapple puzzle, bringing home the general health and wellbeing benefits, is that it also contains Choline, an essential nutrient that positively affects your brain development and weight loss!

To an athlete, pineapple provides mega benefits, but I would imagine, not so convenient to carry fresh pineapple in your shorts on a run (ouch, pokey as previously mentioned), pineapple chucks in your jersey on a ride or, pineapple juice in your speedo while swimming, so, we have come full circle.  I am confident that you now understand why B-LINE natural energy has added Pineapple (along with Ginger, Honey, Maple and Rice Protein) to our Re-FUEL family.  Pineapple is only one of the five ingredients and it packs a POWERHOUSE of benefits for the athlete post workout … imagine what the combination of all five ingredients can do!

Most of us have heard the phrase ‘opposites attract' but to bring opposites together, there needs to be a common thread. For our founders, Chris and Roddy, there were several threads that have sewn them together, but the first was a mutual friend.   These future besties did not meet on a trail as endurance athletes nor did they meet enjoying the endurance sport that they both loved, but at a dinner party.

As the story goes, it did not take these bike nerds past dessert of this initial meeting to discover their common love for the trails.   Upon hearing that Roddy was to be racing the very next morning, Chris was giddy with the prospect of having a riding buddy and, as it turns out, a new best friend. As this epic bromance endured races and mountainous trails, Chris, Roddy and their very patient wives, Emily and Beth, did not only become fast friends but also neighbors, with a mere 500 feet separating their dwellings.

One night a group of guys from the ‘hood gathered for some poker and some craft beer. As the game progressed and the mugs became empty the conversation turned to the question "what do YOU want to be when you grow up?" Now, this is where the differences and similarities collided.

Chris is a salesman. He is energetic. Excited ALL of the time. He has A LOT of ideas. He plans on being king of the world at the hand of hard work and great ideas.

Roddy is an Industrial designer. He is practical. He analyzes a lot. He plans on being the king of the world by analyzing ideas, giving them a practical path to fruition.

Chris and Roddy compliment each other. The opposites. The cog and the wheel. The second common thread was an ultimate life goal.

As the conversation progressed at this fated poker game Chris answered the afore-mentioned question by saying he wanted to build a brand. Start something from scratch. Be his own boss. Roddy was immediately on board. Chris proceeded to share several ideas that he had bouncing around in his head. Roddy listened with his practical ear and kicked the first two ideas to the curb BUT, the third proposed idea seemed to have merit. An energy gel alternative that is 100% organic.

As previously mentioned, the final common thread that brought these friends together, and continues to be a passion, was mountain biking. They love to be out in those woods as endurance athletes, discussing energy gels and in the woods, is where the pieces were sewn together. Following the ‘BONK heard around the mountain' (see OUR STORY page) a mutual friend brought a Ziplock bag of molasses/honey to be used for energy on their ride. With a slurping taste of the energy ‘gel' Chris and Roddy's eyes locked and the idea lightbulbs were practically visible over their heads. A 100% natural energy gel for endurance athletes made with 100% organic food. Just food. That ultimate life goal was gaining momentum.

This is where the fun really began. Conversations about what, how, why? Late nights of mixing the different combination of food in a Kitchen Aid mixer, filling the pouches on Sunday afternoons, designing the logo, designing the pouches, the marriage of the ideas, the work and the practical solutions. This friendship of opposites started with a chance conversation on racing mountain bikes, generated an idea through a series of events, and continues to grow into a company that has a mission to provide energy gels that are an effective, 100% organic food alternative that endurance athletes can feel good about eating.

The B-LINE Natural Energy journey started in 2009. The progression of our company has been one of love, passion, frustration and growth. We have recently put on our big boy pants and obtained some peeps to assist us in this journey. The new peeps are analytical peeps, marketing peeps, and a Mama B who is a ‘does a little bit of everything’ peep. Prior to gaining the new peeps we have earned loyal friends. These are the athletes out there who found us, love us and share us. They share us with the runners, cyclists and swimmers in their lives but we are pulling up our big boy pants because our friends’ circles are only so big. Our circles need to multiply.

These loyal friends also write about us. We have been featured, reviewed and interviewed (check out our press page here to see the variety of articles) in various publication and on networks which has provided us with the love and validation that fuels our journey.

One loyal source, that highlights B-LINE Natural Energy in their publications regularly, is Feed the Machine. Recently during an interview with Physical Therapist and Strength and Conditioning Specialist - Annemarie Alf it was stated: “For longer training days, over 2 hours: I love B-LINE Natural Energy gels as my #1 go to - the 5 clean natural ingredients are the best and they do not upset my stomach.”¹  Another gem, recently published and has been a source of validation for our all-natural energy gel, is this comparison chart:

In the layout above it is shown that B-LINE contains the most straight forward source of energy carbs of those compared. We are all about “what you see is what you get!”

In one additional review of B-LINE Natural Energy the reviewer states the opinion: “I found both of the flavors incredibly tasty, and they weren’t too sweet and offered a satisfying and useful replenishment of energy and nourishment. I liked that they were 100% organic gels and that the ingredients were functional for your body and digestive system.”³

What we are trying to convey here is that we are willing to do anything, go just about anywhere, shamelessly plug, endorse, shout to any runner, biker or swimmer that we think B-LINE is amazing, tasty, useful, convenient, all-natural, and on and on and on BUT we are not alone on our journey. And we are thankful.

Sources:

¹ https://www.feedthemachine.com/Research/research-Detail/ArticleId/132/nutrition-plan-triathlete-physical-therapist-annemarie-alf.aspx

² https://www.feedthemachine.com/Research/research-Detail/ArticleId/166/the-evolution-of-energy-gels.aspx

³ http://themtblab.com/2017/06/just-in-ottolock-cinch-lock-abbey-tools-whip-it-chain-whip-and-B-LINE-natural-energy-gel.html