Move Over Licorice

Licorice (red or black; I’m bi-partisan) was always my candy of choice. I was particularly smug about my preference during the fat-hating ‘90s, wagging the laces in my candy-bar-loving friends’ faces. A few months ago, my husband asked me to read the ingredient label more closely. High-fructose corn syrup? Eh. Mineral oil? Uh. Fortunately, right around that time, a fellow cyclist offered me a Shot Blok during a long bike ride. It’s made from 95% organic ingredients and contains neither corn syrup nor mineral oil, or for that matter artificial colors, flavoring, and synthetic preservatives. My favorite flavor, Black Cherry, does however contain caffeine, a bonus for which I am truly grateful on serious uphill climbs.