Top it off: Vita review (+giveaway)

I was in a Weight Watchers meeting the first time I heard about them .

Them, the magic treat that promised to keep on my plan and within my points. Them, a 1-point wonder full of chocolate. Them, tasty enough to be a treat but healthy enough to call a pre-run breakfast.

Them being the VitaTop.

About VitaTops:

VitaTop muffin tops have all of the healthy benefits of our delicious VitaMuffin – now even more convenient to carry and eat on-the-run. The VitaTop, a "one-hand" satisfying snack food with the portability of a bar, is easy to eat anywhere, anytime. At your desk or on the road, these handy muffin tops fit conveniently into a purse, briefcase, work out bag, backpack and lunchbox.

During my Weight Watchers' days, I would finish lunch (sandwich thin or taco soup, anyone?) and pop the VitaTop in the microwave for 30 seconds and refresh my coffee. I would sit at my desk and for 5 minutes, I would slowly enjoy the VitaTop and my coffee as if I was eating a sundae. Not in a "let me pretend this banana puree is ice cream" way but it in a "ohmygod I love chocolate" way. I was able to do it all without the guilt.

I have since left Weight Watchers but my VitaTop love remains. So much so that I found myself "virtually" stocking up on my favorite flavors - Chocolate Mint, Fudgy PB Chip and Apple Crumb. When my cart hit $100, I thought I'd reach out to VitaTop and see if I could share the love.

The company was generous enough to send me a sampler pack. It included

• Deep & Velvety VitaBrownies
• Banana Nut VitaTops 
• Triple Chocolate Chunk VitaTops
• Deep Chocolate VitaTops
• Fudgy Peanut Butter Chip VitaTops
• Golden Corn VitaTops
• CranBran VitaTops
• Apple Crumb VitaTops 
• Banana Nut VitaTops

In the couple weeks since I received the samples, I've enjoyed them as an evening snack, an afternoon treat and slathered in peanut butter before a run.

I have to (try to) limit myself to one a day even though there's no reason to. The VitaTop won't break the calorie bank (100 calories per top) and has enough protein (5 grams) and fiber (9 grams) to take it out of true dessert range.

Dessert for breakfast? Try an Apple Crumb VitaTop with cooked apples and stevia-sweetened yogurt

I honestly don't think there's a flavor I don't like but I am partial to the brownies and Apple Crumb. Seriously, the apple can be for breakfast or add a drizzle of honey and whipped topping for some strudel-like action. As for the savory, corn muffin variety is great with taco soup or chili and is far lower in calories than traditional corn bread.

If you are feeling incredibly sassy, you could also cut one in half and cook it French toast style. It would work with the corn muffin, too. With an egg and salsa on top. Just saying.

And you can try it. On me.

The folks at Vitalicious are giving me a Super Sampler pack to give away. In it, you'll find:

• 4 Deep & Velvety VitaBrownies
• 2 Chocolate Mint VitaTops
• 2 Banana Nut VitaTops
• 2 Triple Chocolate Chunk VitaTops
• 2 Deep Chocolate VitaTops
• 2 Fudgy Peanut Butter Chip VitaTops
• 2 Golden Corn VitaTops
• 2 CranBran VitaTops
• 2 Apple Crumb VitaTops
• 2 Banana Choco Chip VitaTops
• 6 Fudgy Chocolate mini VitaCakes 

To enter, leave a comment telling me which Vitalicious product you would most like to try.

Fine print: This giveaway is open to residents of the United States. It begins on 6/29/12 and ends on 7/6/12; the winner will be announced on 7/8/12. One entry per person. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning.