Who is this woman, and how the heck did she get on this blog? Did someone hack my account? Nah. Meet Ariane, Larabar's first, official, certified "Fan of the Day." Here's some quick information about Ariane.

She's from the great city of New York - I'd kill for some good pizza right now (Lara, what about pizza Larabars?) - and loves to "discover good food and share the news with friends."

What else? Ariane is great writer and a cool person. Send me your stories, and I'll make you a Larabar Fan of the Day. Email me at lewis@larabar.com

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Check out this photo of the Larabar team, and tell me if you notice something interesting about all the men in the picture. I know the pictures are just thumbnails, but think: what do all the men in the picture have in common, beyond their love of Larabar? C'mon, think! The first person to answer correctly wins an assortment of Larabars! Here's a hint, which has everything to do with the work environment and philosophy of this company: none of the men are wearing . . . . think, people! I'm putting that assortment together at this very minute. Send me your answers at lewis@larabar.com

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I snapped this picture of Larabar's youngest fans at Expo West. They deserve our thanks, for they truly represent the fun and excitement behind this company. Folks, send in your pictures and stories about your favorite Larabar flavors! It's my pleasure to highlight the people who make this brand so successful.

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One of the highlights of this weekend's trip to Expo West, where Larabar debuted a whole new line of flavors and met with members of the press, had to be - beyond all the free samples I devoured within the course of a few minutes - my chance encounter with Burt Ward, aka Robin from the famed 'Batman' TV series of the 1960s. Other than all the swag I took home from the kind folks here at Larabar, meeting the Boy Wonder was a true gem. Before the advent of 300 channels, cable, satellite and on-demand television, my brother and I would spend every weekday afternoon watching reruns of the old 'Batman' show. Oh, how I longed to drive the Batmobile - does the glove compartment or Batman's utility belt now include emergency provisions of Larabars? - and fight crime throughout Gotham. Alas, I never got the chance to say: "Atomic batteries to power, turbines to speed . . . ready to move out," as the Batmobile bolted off the line toward downtown Gotham. Meeting Burt Ward nonetheless was a lot of fun -- I even told him to try a Larabar! Strangely, all I remember is the word "Zap!" flashing before my eyes as Robin, er Burt, knocked me unconscious, no doubt to conceal his secret identity. After all, superheroes can never tell the world their favorite Larabar flavor. Never.

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First, a hearty congratulations to Lara Merriken, the founder of this great company and the leader of a truly wonderful team of professionals. At some point, I will share my introduction to this brand and how, because of her trust and encouragement, Lara gave me this opportunity to communicate with the millions of people worldwide who have made - and continue to make - Larabar such a success. Not to worry: this blog will never be the online equivalent of an infomercial -- that's a waste of time. Instead, I want to truly communicate with readers, sharing ideas and perhaps even exchanging recipes with all those food aficionados who love Larabar. Which brings me to my next point.

Remember 'The Giving Tree,' the classic children's book by Shel Silverstein? I'll never forget the first time my teacher read that story to my fifth grade class: by the time she had finished the book she was crying, her voice cracking about a story that, beyond its most obvious narrative about a tree's unconditional love for a young boy, is really a lesson about life in general -- about the way nothing can equal the bond between a parent and child, or the pride and sinfulness of man. On an even deeper level, the story is about respect for the environment and its own inherent vitality. Respect Mother Nature, and she will feed you forever; abuse Her gifts, and we will shame ourselves with regret.

I don't know if Lara ever read 'The Giving Tree' (I will find out), but she nonetheless embodies the story's very principles -- she borrows the bounty of Mother Nature - delicious apples, tasty almonds, succulent dates - and offers them to the world. And she always returns to that proverbial giving tree to say something the story's young boy never remembered (or bothered, until it was too late) to proclaim: "Thank you."

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