WIN THIS: A variety pack of Pure bars!

What a weekend! I swear they get shorter and shorter. Or maybe I just need to stay away from Chicago for a minute. I've been going into the city so much as of late. This weekend's event: a belated Christmas celebration. My sister and I promised our parentals a nice night out, and we finally got it on the calendar. It's hard to coordinate six very busy people! The hubs and I ended up taking the train in, and I packed a fun little snack for the mid-afternoon trip:

Had to show ya 'cuz I dig the pattern on this Pink Lady. Have you ever seen an apple so...striped? It's a fashionable little thing, given that stripes are so in right now. (Aren't stripes always in?) I should have packed one of these guys, too:

The "purest" form of deliciousness, I swear. Ever eat a Pure bar? I love them so. And I love the story behind them, too. One mom, a vegetarian daughter, and their adventures in the kitchen which ultimately lead them to a super snack shared with others—to the point where it turned into a full company that temps the taste buds of people everywhere. Let's get back to the bars. Did I mention they're organic? THAT never hurts. When you read the ingredients in each bar, you know each and every one of them. No mysterious additives, just...well...just "pure" fruit and flavor. And if you eat this one...

...you get some chocolate, too. Fantastic in my mouth! It's the Trail Mix bar. And I love it for all the Omega-3s, protein and fiber within. Can't beat that it an afternoon snack. Also good:

Pure Organic Apple Cinnamon Bar.

Pure Organic Cranberry Orange Bar.

There's nothing like packing a good, tasty snack when you're on the go. Because let's be honest, the fresher the food, the more complicated it is to eat on the go. So bars like these, well...they satisfy without filling you up with nonsensical ingredients that do more harm than good. Because when you're living the fit life, when you're doing everything you can in terms of exercise, obviously what you eat is highly important. So a Snickers bar from the gas station just won't do. But these Pure bars would. And really, they taste so good that you'll forget you're putting something natural and good into your body.

Don't believe me? Sign up for the chance to win a variety pack. I'm serious! I will tell you how in a minute, but first, you need to know that I need to know your email address! If I can't get in touch with you, I can't figure out where to send your prize. If you don't want to leave your email address in your qualifying comment, feel free to email dailydose (dot) notes (at) gmail (dot) com. And now, how to enter:

1) Take a look at all the Pure bars, then leave a comment telling me which one you'd most like to eat
2) "Like" PURE bar on Facebook.
3) Follow Pure on Twitter.
4) "Like" Daily Dose on Facebook.
5) Subscribe to Daily Dose via email.

Be sure to leave a note telling me all that you do! Contest ends at midnight EST on Friday, April 22, 2011. The winner will be announced on Sunday, April 24, 2011.

Back to Chicago for a second, just have to tell you that Carnivale is a most excellent place to eat. If you live in the city, or if you plan on visiting, make a reservation! It's pricey, but worth it. Think authentic Latin cuisine in a colorful atmosphere. I had a vegetarian dish complete with squash, mushrooms and wheat berries in some sort of spicy, tasty sauce. (The picture I took of it doesn't do the dish any justice whatsoever, so I'm not posting it.)

I think the 'rents had a good time:

Love them! And I love that they live the fit life, too. Mom is about to run her second half marathon, and Dad...otherwise known as Lance Armstrong...he's always on his bike.

Now...go! Enter my giveaway!