I just noticed that Larabar has introduced a new line called Maya. The Maya bars seem to start off with a similar base to their regular Larabars - meaning all natural, organic dried fruits and nuts, with no added sugars - but they have Fair Trade Certified cocoa and cacao nibs added to them, along with a combination of natural flavorings. The Maya bars, like regular Larabars, are also completely vegan. There are four flavors in the new line: Maya Chocolate, Maya Orange, Maya Coffee and Maya Mint. I love the idea of a snack version of a Larabar, a healthy stand-in for a chocolate bar. I already love the Coca Mole Larabar, which is flavored with cocoa powder, cinnamon and chilies, and expect the new bars to be a bit more chocolaty, given that they include the cacao nibs.

Has anyone seen these in stores? I've been looking, but haven't found them yet. You can buy them by the boxful online, which might be a good idea for those who are already fans of the bars.

Matisse and Jack's is a company that makes mixes for homemade, natural energy bars. The mixes come in two flavors, Chocolate Chip and Cranberry Walnut, and include healthy ingredients like oats and flaxseed. The mixes have no refined flours, no preservatives and no hydrogenated oils. They're a good source of protein, iron, calcium and omega-3 fatty acids. The premise behind the mixes is that are a fresh, economical and eco-friendly way to snack on energy bars. Sounds great, but how do they taste?

For something so simple and healthy, they taste very good. The chocolate chip bars are absolutely packed with chocolate chips. To make the bars, you just stir in a combination of applesauce and/or yogurt according to the package directions. The resulting bars are very moist and chewy. They have a fresh, oaty taste, unlike the processed, overly-sweet taste of commercial bars. I think that they're a great option for on-the-go breakfasting, especially because I actually did feel energized after eating them!

Lara Bars are blends of fruits, spices and nuts that make up a line of tasty, wholesome snack bars. Though they don't have any preservatives, nor are the cooked, their special packaging keeps these moist and chewy bars fresh for several months - and perfect for a snack on the go or a quick meal when you're traveling. My favorite flavors are Apple Pie and Cocoa Mole. Of course, if you can't get to the store, you can always make your own, just like Rae of bunnyfoot. She took dates and a few add-ins of her own to make an amazing homemade lara-type bar. I love the adaptability of her recipe, since you can add any nuts, spices or additional fruits that you like!

Snack bars are the new granola bars. This isn’t really a news flash, but I certainly never thought of them this way. They were, by and large, previously marketed as energy bars, designed to deliver an extra dose of calories to hard-working athletes or as meal replacements for busy people. Many people don’t use these as meal replacements, though, and eat two or three a day as snacks, hence the new "snack bar" designation. Though most of the bars have 200-250 calories and less than 6 grams of fat, some can have more than 10 grams of fat and over 300 calories. Eating two or three of these adds up – and quickly.

This month, EatingWell magazine rounded up some of the best snack bar options, based on the following criteria: 225 calories or less and less than 3 grams of saturated fat, as well as at least 5 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber. The goal was to find something worth eating nutritionally as a snack and was filling enough to hold you over until your next meal.