MoodBoost Drink Review and Giveaway

I normally steer clear of the often murky world of so-called “nutraceuticals” – nutritional products that claim pharmaceutical properties and remarkable health benefits. There are far too many players in the game and far too little regulation for everything you hear to be legitimate.

So I was fairly skeptical to try a new product by Monarch Nutrition called MoodBoost, a drink that claims to brighten your psychological outlook and provide you with sustained energy throughout the day, all without caffeine or any artificial ingredients. Having tried it for a while, I wouldn’t say I’m blown away, but I’m interested enough to describe it briefly here and offer samples for a couple of readers to test for themselves.


MoodBoost is a natural energy drink consisting of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and herbal extracts. The formula supposedly supports proper body function while raising energy levels and supporting mental wellbeing. It comes in powdered form in individual serving packets, and dissolves in water. Each serving packet contains only 20 calories.

There’s only one flavor, called “Refreshing Tropical” which tastes like an orange creamsicle. The flavor is actually quite nice, but I found it a little bit strong for the recommended 8-12oz of water. For the past several weeks I’ve been dissolving a single serving packet in a 20-oz water bottle, and it makes a tasty fluid replacement drink for my long morning runs. Since I prefer diluted drinks instead of super sweet (and sugar-dense) sports drinks, the low-calorie aspect has been the biggest selling point of MoodBoost for me.

As for the health and wellness claims, I’m going to plead ignorance. The laundry list of ingredients in MoodBoost is pretty impressive - including high-dose Vitamin B12 for energy metabolism, minerals and amino acids for healthy nervous system function, and herbal extracts such as St John’s Wort and Gingko Biloba to help decrease stress levels – but I’m not enough of an expert on any of these nutrients to verify their effectiveness. I didn’t notice a significant increase in my normal energy level – however, I might be what researchers call an “outlier”; the exorbitantly high levels of Diet Pepsi coursing through my veins at any given time throughout the day probably don’t make me the ideal candidate to test this particular variable.

I can’t honestly say that I felt more cheerful than usual while drinking MoodBoost, either. Like I said, I usually drink it while running … so of course I’m going to be in a good mood. A bad run is still generally better than my greatest day at work, or a lot of other things I could be doing. I’m also pretty sure I still get grumpy just as often as I usually do. Besides, this whole arena seems so subjective to me that I’d have an extremely hard time simply correlating a particularly “good day” to the sports drink I had that morning.

Regardless, MoodBoost does have some strong points that might be worth trying. The individual packaging makes it easily transportable to take to work or tuck into a pocket to refill your water bottles on a long run or bike ride. It tastes pretty nice, and it’s a good low-calorie alternative to traditional sports drinks.

MoodBoost is sold online for $15 per box of 20 serving packets – but as part of my December giveaway spree, Monarch Nutrition has agreed to provide sample boxes to two readers. We’ll follow the usual procedure here: leave a comment below this post by 7PM PST on Friday Dec 9th, and I’ll announce the winner over the weekend.

*Product provided by Monarch Nutrition
**See other product reviews on sidebar at right. If you have a product you’d like reviewed, contact me at info@runningandrambling.com

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Simple CARport Shoe Review

One of the nicest coincidences of my recent barefoot shoe series was discovering just how closely natural footwear companies and eco-friendliness go hand in hand (or, um … foot in shoe. Something like that.)

I suppose it shouldn’t surprise me; as a general rule, most barefoot practitioners - either runners, or just everyday shoephobes - tend to have a dominant “love your Mother Earth” gene, which is manifest in environmental protection and social responsibility. It’s not much of a stretch to think that corporations founded by like-minded souls would translate those philosophies to product manufacturing.

Unfortunately, the shoe business is treacherous territory for companies attempting sustainable production methods or striving to minimize their global impact; chemicals, adhesives, plastics, animal products and excess waste are all part of the game. If a company can somehow navigate those stormy waters and still manage to make products that actually look great and perform well, they deserve to be recognized.

That’s why I’m glad I got to know the Simple Shoe company a lot better over the past several months. They’re not perfect, but they’re striving to do all the right things, with a stated goal of having 100% sustainable production. Or as they describe themselves on their website, Simple is a nice little shoe company getting in touch with its inner hippie.

A couple of weeks ago I reviewed the GUMshoe, a lightweight loafer/sandal made from hemp and recycled carpet padding, among other things. This week features the CARport, a casual sneaker with similar eco-friendly credentials.


The upper of the CARport is made with breathable suede from certified eco-friendly tanneries (those with an ISO 14001 certification, if you’re really interested), as well as certified organic cotton flannel linings and laces. All of the cotton used in Simple footwear is cultivated and harvested without the use of pesticides or other toxic chemicals – it also makes for a very comfortable sock-like feel on the inside of the shoe.


More recycled products are used underneath; the “pedbed” midsole is made from post-consumer polyurethane as well as recycled car tire rubber. The entire outsole is also made from recycled tires; Simple estimates that a single used car tire provides outsoles for six pairs of shoes. Given the monumental piles of tires all over the world, the company will never have to manufacture outsoles from any other material.

Aside from stylistic differences, there’s one element of the CARport that I really like compared to the other Simple shoes I tested. When I reviewed the GUMshoe, I complained that the arch support was sewn into the insole, and the insoles were not removable – so in fairness, I’m happy to say that the CARport insoles are completely removable. However, since the midsole is thicker, you don’t have the same ground feel as the lightweight GUMshoe; it’s like you’re on a flat platform that’s elevated an inch or so off the ground. If the company could someday combine these two elements – a removable insole with a minimalist midsole – I’d be in Simple heaven.

The other thing I like about these shoes is that they’re just plain nice-looking. The styling is versatile enough for office or casual wear, and the suede colors (black olive or coffee liqueur) complement a wide variety of wardrobe options. They’re also comfortable enough that you can wear them all day long, so going from work to a relaxed evening out doesn’t automatically require a change of shoes.

The Simple Carport retails for $70 from Endless.com (with free overnight shipping) as well as on the company website. It’s an easy way to look respectable while still indulging your inner hippie.


*Product provided by Simple Shoes
**See other product reviews on sidebar at right. If you have a product you’d like reviewed, contact me at info@runningandrambling.com.

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The Barefoot Files: Where Do We Go Now?

“Where do we go –
Where do we go now?”
- Guns ‘N’ Roses, “Sweet Child O’ Mine” (video after post)

After being humbled at my most recent attempt at barefoot trail running, I mentioned that there were some big picture questions that would be addressed. Or, to quote an exchange between a friend and me during a recent trail run while I was wearing Vibram FiveFingers:

Friend: So how does this all end for you?

Me: You mean, like … the barefoot thing? Or life in general?

Friend: Let’s start with the first one. Worry about the other one later.

So I guess in that context, even though I’m saying “big picture” here, what I actually mean is “infinitesimally small picture that currently wields illogically disproportionate importance”. It’s always good to be reminded of that.

On to the question at hand: how does the barefoot experiment end? I stated at the outset that my intention was never to become a 100% barefoot runner; what went unspoken was any sort of secondary goal or accomplishment to indicate that I had “made it” as a barefooter.

The end point was purposely kept vague, in that I want barefoot and minimalist running to be an ongoing aspect of my training, just like hill workouts and tempo runs and the swimming and mountain biking I do for cross-training. I want the freedom to say, “You know what? I don’t feel like wearing shoes today,” and take off on a 7-mile trail run anyway. Conversely, I want to be able to decide - as I did one day last week – “My feet are pretty fried; I need to wear regular shoes today,” without feeling like I’ve fallen off the wagon or broken some sort of covenant. Simply put, I want barefoot running to be just another part of my repertoire. I’ll go through phases when I practice it frequently, and others (primarily during the winter) when I drift away for a bit.

Although I’m ambiguous about the destination, I’m absolutely certain about a handful of lessons I’ve learned along the way – and those are the items I’ll share here. With that in mind, here are some main talking points:


Barefoot running is fun: Above all else, this is the overriding factor in my continued dedication to barefoot running. Some runners come become barefooters to escape nagging injuries, others do it as a statement against materialism and “shoe industry cartels”, but I did it simply as a curiosity. I can give it up at anytime – but I know that I won’t, because I enjoy it too darn much.

Be a kid ... go barefoot!

There’s really no sensation that compares with feeling the ground against the soles of your feet, or the air between your toes with each stride, or the lightness of being unrestrained by shoes. You see and feel all of your surroundings in an entirely different way. It’s liberating and empowering, but also restrictive and humbling. When I’m scampering around like a ragamuffin in public, I feel simultaneously like a meager child of the Earth and a hardcore tough guy. And I realize that's all contradictory and doesn’t make any sense, so you’ll just have to take my word for it - or better yet, give it a try sometime to see what I mean.


Barefoot running hurts: This seems incongruous with what I just said above, but believe me, it’s true. Although I became (and remain) pretty comfortable running on asphalt surfaces, all it takes is one stretch of rocky gravel or chip and seal roadway – not to mention any sub-40 degree morning - to make me wince in pain. And even though I can get to the point where some trails are tolerable, my soles haven't grown comfortable enough to where I can forget about them for even a second, or take my eyes off the ground to enjoy the sights around me. Therefore, I’ve concluded that …


Minimalist footwear is awesome: I mentioned this in a previous installment, but it’s worth repeating: even the mythical Tarahumara Indians wear protection for their feet. And while traditional running shoes are clearly unnecessary, there’s definitely a lot to be said for having a basic layer of protection between your naked feet and the potential hazards of the ground below.

Standing tall in VFFs, high above the Salinas Valley

Thankfully, there are some outstanding options out there: Vibram’s FiveFingers – either the KSO model, or the newly-released KSO Trek - will remain my gold standard for trail running until something better is invented, which I honestly can’t even imagine happening. The Feelmax Osma is an ideal solution for road running (and unlike when I reviewed it, it’s now available in the United States), and Sockwas give you the most barefoot feel imaginable. Vivo Barefoot’s about to jump in the game as well, with the release of its Evo performance shoe in 2010. Each of these brands offers nearly all the benefits of barefoot running, with almost none of the risks. I’ve logged fairly high mileage in minimal trainers over the past 6 months, and will continue to do so permanently. On the other hand …


I want shoes during an ultra: An unspoken consideration throughout almost all of my trail runs has been whether the VFFs or other minimal footwear would be a feasible option for running ultras. It has been done before, even at the 100 mile distance, so it’s not like I’m venturing into uncharted waters. Even so, the longest trail run I’ve done in VFFs is about 15 miles, but my overall comfort level during long runs isn’t where I’d want it to be if I’m someday approaching 50M or 100K again. If I slowed down enough, the discomfort wouldn’t be an issue - but knowing myself, I don’t think I could completely abandon my competitive nature or any attention to the clock when I’ve got a bib number pinned to my shorts.

Someday, perhaps after a few thousand more training miles, my speed in VFFs may approach my shod speed on steep and rugged trails, in which case, the whole premise I just described would be moot. Until then, I’ll be wearing shoes for trail racing. However …


I need much less shoe than I thought: This has been the happiest revelation of the whole process: I don’t really need the super-cushioned, extra-supportive, heavy duty SUV-style shoes that I’d been trending toward in recent years. Getting rid of them requires an adjustment period, for sure, but the transformation took place much quicker than I thought.

In fact, my whole philosophy about trail shoes has undergone a seismic shift. All I’m really looking for now is a measure of traction for tricky terrain, a token amount of cushioning for comfort, and a covering to keep my toes warm. Other than that, I’m completely a “less is more” guy: less weight, less structure, less heel, and a lower profile to allow natural foot and ankle function.

Best of all, I’m not the only one who feels this way; a handful of companies have been designing trail running shoes with just this idea in mind. And yes, I’ll present you with reviews for some of them in the near future.

And the final lesson I’ve learned …


Barefoot isn’t just for running: An underlying question at the heart of the whole barefoot running movement is this: if barefoot running is so great for you, why don’t we spend more time barefoot walking? So you can understand my delight in discovering so many natural footwear options lately.

Vivo Barefoot Lesotho - review coming soon

Just as it has for running footwear, my whole philosophy regarding everyday footwear has been turned on its head in the past 6 months. Minimalist shoes extend the benefits of the barefoot lifestyle, feel great to wear, and come in a variety of options for almost every possible circumstance. Vivo Barefoot has to be considered the leader in offering the most stylish barefoot options, but many other companies are recognizing that high fashion and natural foot function don’t have to be mutually exclusive.

I guess all this is a long-winded way of saying that there really isn’t an end point to any of this - just an ongoing activity and underlying philosophy that have shaped my overall running experience in more positive ways than I can possibly describe. This Great Barefoot Experiment of mine may never reach a definite conclusion; hopefully it’s destined to be a continual work in progress.

*See previous installments of this series on sidebar at right.

**
As for the band … technically, they never reached a definite conclusion either, since the name “Guns ‘N’ Roses” is still currently owned and exploited by Axl Rose and whichever 4 flunkies he’s persuaded to play with him lately. For 99.9% of hard rock fans, however, GNR was a shooting star that rose meteorically before burning out in a brilliant fury in the mid 1990s. When the original lineup was together, there wasn’t another rock band around who held a candle to them.

This song is noteworthy for two reasons: 1) it’s the only GNR song my wife would ever listen to with me, and 2) the guitar intro still stands as one of the most distinctive melodies ever written. Don’t ask me which reason is more significant.

Guns ‘N’ Roses, “Sweet Child O’ Mine” (click to play):

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Black Diamond Spot Headlamp Review (and Giveaway!)

Before we get to today’s review and product giveaway, let’s get the previous contest out of the way … drum roll, please … RAY, shoot me an e-mail – you’ve won the $15 gift card to shop at Wilderness Running Company. Congrats!

For everybody else, there will be an identical gift card contest at the end of this week, plus a product giveaway drawing from WRC at the end of this review. You didn’t think I was kidding about the giveaways this month, did you?

**
Today’s post doubles as an introduction to my headlamp reviews, which will be divided into two primary categories for trail runners: compact, super-lightweight models with a single combined battery/lamp casing, and the heavier, brighter models with an external battery pack. There's one other lamp that's something of a category-breaker which I'll review soon as well.

Expanding on the theme of “two”, the battle for the best headlamps has two primary players: Black Diamond and Petzl. They’re the two most prevalent companies on the market, with the most attractive product options for trail runners. Their offerings each have particular strengths that will be more appealing to certain users. And the overall quality of their lamps is outstanding.

We’re starting with the Black Diamond Spot, which I consider the most affordable option for a dedicated trail runner. It features a 1-watt LED direct beam that penetrates 70m, or 3 high-power LEDs that produce a floodlight of 47 lumens across a wide field of vision. The entire unit weighs 85g (3.0 oz) including the 3 AAA batteries for operation.

The Spot’s casing is ultra-compact, measuring just 2.27” x 1.7” x 1.4", with sleek curvature and a stylish black-and-silver color scheme. Atop the casing is the only button you need to use: the simple all-in-one control that’s big enough to use even with gloved fingers. The entire unit has IPX4 water resistance, so you can use it in any harsh conditions you encounter.

Pressing the top button repeatedly scrolls you through 3 brightness levels as well as a strobe. This can be done in either the spot or flood mode, so in total the Spot gives you 6 different brightness levels and 2 strobes between the two settings. The beam can be angled for precise placement by the ratcheting tilt mechanism of the casing.

Battery life for using the LEDs (the most efficient mode) on the high setting is 100 hours, which is outstanding. One potential drawback about the Spot lamp is that it’s not “officially” compatible with rechargeable batteries. Although both the company webpage and the user’s manual indicate to use alkaline batteries only, I’ve heard reports of people using rechargeable batteries in the Spot without problems. Fortunately, even if you stick with regular alkalines, they’ll last you through several long-duration runs before needing replacement.

Spot’s candle power is more than adequate for paved roads or smooth trails, but like most other single-casing headlamps, is probably not quite enough for highly technical trails. Another potential difficulty for hardcore trail running is that changing from spot to flood mode is impossible without turning the bulb off, which might make footing tricky if you’re trying to switch on the fly.

Otherwise, the Spot is a very solid, durable multi-purpose headlamp that is small enough to tuck into a pocket once the sun comes up. Its retail price is a very affordable $40 – minus 10% if you use my R&R10 coupon code from Wilderness Running Company; I can almost guarantee that you won’t find a higher performance lamp for a lower price anywhere.


This week, Wilderness Running Company is contributing to my holiday giveaway spree by awarding one Black Diamond Spot FREE to the winner of a drawing. To enter, leave a comment below this post by 7PM PST on Tuesday 12/8/09, and I’ll randomly select a winner from that group. Kudos to WRC, and good luck to you!

*Product independently purchased
**See other product reviews on sidebar at right. If you have a product you’d like reviewed, contact me at info@runningandrambling.com.

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Sugoi Glove Review; Wilderness Gift Card Giveaway

I haven’t made any secret about my affinity for Wilderness Running Company this year, and that’s why I’m excited about the next few giveaways over the upcoming week. Along with a product giveaway, two separate winners will receive $15 WRC gift certificates, which I’m more than happy to award because:

1) It’s like cash (which, in the words of Yogi Berra, is just as good as money!), so you can apply it to any kind of trail running gear you want: shoes, clothes, lighting, or whatever else is in stock. You don’t have to worry about sizing, and I don’t have to worry about shipping – so everybody wins. Also …

2) This is kind of a long one, but … in my little town there’s a small, independently-operated video store that’s owned by one of the nicest guys around. He knows he faces a constant challenge, and possibly even the threat of extinction from nearby mega-retailers like Blockbuster and huge online outlets like Netflix. For that reason, he works about twice as many hours as most folks, and always goes out of his way to get to know his customers and make sure they’re satisfied. He survives on dedication and quality goods (always having new titles available) and customer loyalty. For that reason, I don’t rent movies from anyplace else.


I sometimes think of Wilderness Running Company like I do that local video store. They’re not REI, and they’re not RoadRunner Sports (honestly, they’re not even ZombieRunner), but the owner is a very friendly, stand-up guy, and he seems to be working twice as hard to share his passion for trail running and outdoor gear with anyone who stops by. He relies on top quality gear and outstanding customer service to distinguish his business – and although I haven’t purchased a ton of gear lately (for obvious reasons), I have bought stuff from WRC, and I’ll continue to do so in the future. And these gift cards are my way of encouraging you to do the same.

(Of course, you don’t need a gift card to do it: you can find sale prices there and/or use my coupon code anytime you’d like. I’ve mentioned the coupon code before, right?)

Today’s post is a product review as well as a drawing for a $15 WRC gift card; enter by leaving your name in the comment box below. The winner will be announced on Sunday night. Next week there will be a WRC headlamp giveaway, as well as another gift card giveaway at the end of the week. ‘Tis the season.

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As for today’s review, it highlights two styles of Sugoi gloves that I’ve put to heavy use since our weather has turned cold recently. They both are remarkably thin and light in comparison to the warmth they provide in low temperatures.

The lighter of the two is Sugoi’s thermal knit glove, which looks like any other knit glove you’d pick up in a discount store (which was pretty much my modus operandi for many years), except they outperform regular knit gloves by a mile. I actually don’t know what the difference is – whether the material or the construction, or probably both – but these are highly breathable and still kept my hands warm even as the thermometer dipped in to the 30s.

WRC states the temp range for these is mid 20s to mid 40s, but the low end seems a bit of a stretch (especially considering the next glove that I also have). It’s also very likely that I’m just not that tough. At any rate, the thermal gloves also have ribbed cuffs and anatomical seaming for a snug, comfortable fit, and rubber palm nubs in case you need to open a jar of pickles on your way out the door or something. They’re a surprisingly warm yet lightweight glove, and are available for $16 from WRC.

The gloves I’m most impressed by are Sugoi’s Firewall LT, which provides both wind- and waterproof protection for harsh conditions. My coldest morning runs so far this year have been 30 degrees, and these gloves kept my fingers quite comfortable the entire way. Yet they’re still thin enough that you have dexterity to push watch buttons or operate zippers while wearing them – a very nice contrast from the snow gloves I normally wear when it’s below freezing outside.

The Firewall LT also features a very soft, highly absorbent synthetic nose wipe on the thumb (for those of you who are unschooled in snot rocketry) and a contoured neoprene cuff with a velcro tab closure. It has a couple of reflective accents for better visibility from oncoming traffic.

WRC sells the Firewall for $35, which isn’t remarkably high for solid windproof and waterproof insulation. Having used them multiple times already this season, I’d say that they’re definitely worth the price. Check them out here, check out WRC’s other winter apparel (including the GoLite shirts that are still on sale), and check back with me on Monday to see if you’ve won a gift card.


*products provided by Wilderness Running Company
**See other product reviews on sidebar at right. If you have a product you’d like reviewed, contact me at info@runningandrambling.com.

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Full Moon Ride; Footbed Giveaway

Before today's post, a couple more giveaways to keep in the spirit of the week ...

Over the past year I've reviewed products from two companies who make athletic shoe inserts: SofSole and SOLE. For obvious reasons (I've mentioned that I've been running barefoot, right?), I'm not looking for extra structure or support in my footwear these days, but I've got a couple of extra unopened products that I'm willing to send off to the first person who asks. So if you're a men's size 10.5-11 and would like a heat moldable footbed from either company, e-mail me at info@runningandrambling.com, and they're all yours.

**
I'm tinkering with a draft post about the whole “big picture” aspect of barefoot running, but it seems like it’s going in too many directions at once – so I decided to scrap it for today, and do a quick photo post instead.

More specifically, these are pics from this week’s bike ride with my 11-year-old son, on one of our regular routes through the Fort Ord open space. We’re getting to the time of year when we have to race the darkness in order to get a decent ride in – but some of those hurried rides also turn out to be the prettiest and most memorable.


The first half of our ride is almost entirely uphill, and we hadn’t yet finished the main 2-mile climb before we started losing daylight in the west …


… although when we turned back to the east, the open valley and rising moon maintained just enough illumination for us to point the bikes towards home.



We probably would have made it back sooner, except that I stopped in my tracks probably 10 different times to try capturing the colorful vista of fading daylight behind us, and a bright full moon ahead.


We also stopped at the sight of this: some poor critter who didn’t quite make it home in time the evening before. My son digs looking at bones anyway, so finding some that were still connected to each other – as well as one that was completely snapped in half - was nothing short of awesome in his book. It also led to the following exchange:

Son: What do you think it is?

Me: I’m not sure … but I know what it means.

Son: What?

Me: It means we’d better get back before dark.


Whether it was the threat of predators emerging from hiding, or wanting to escape the increasingly cold chill of early evening, or simply racing against the dying light, the kid seemed to ride a little faster after seeing the bones. I gave him a head start to capture one last shot (if you click to enlarge, that’s him on the trail in the distance), then tucked the camera away to catch up.

We made it to the paved road just as darkness fell, and talked on and on about the bones in the comfort of our heated car ride home.

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Sockwa Winners; Two Rhapsodies

In traditional fashion, let’s take care of business before pleasure with this post …

Thanks to everyone who entered my Sockwa giveaway, and special thanks to Gretchen for posing for that Sockwa photo. For the winners, you’re indebted to my 6-year-old daughter who pulled your name out of a hat. For those who didn’t win … the good news is that Sockwas aren’t very expensive to purchase on your own, so I’d definitely encourage you to give them a try. And if that’s not enough consolation, you can always file a formal complaint with my customer service department.

So without further ado ... Barefoot Angie B, Danny Miller, and Bob Tucker: drop me an e-mail (info@runningandrambling.com) with your address. You’ve won!

And since I don’t have anything else constructive for today, please allow me a little foolish indulgence – because sometimes I simply marvel at the timing of things in my life.

Less than 2 weeks ago, a topic of discussion on a trail run was how we develop associations with certain songs that never go away, regardless of how much time goes by, or how infrequently we hear the song in later years. One example that a friend of mine offered – and which I agreed with 100% - was that he couldn’t hear Queen’s "Bohemian Rhapsody" anymore without thinking of Wayne and Garth’s crew rocking out in the AMC Pacer. For children of the early 1990s, it’s a classic bit of cinema:

"Bohemian Rhapsody" from Wayne's World (click to play - song starts after :50):


For more than 15 years, that’s been the automatic association: "Bohemian Rhapsody" = Wayne’s World. And no sooner do I receive independent confirmation of such, than along come the Muppets.

During Thanksgiving week, Muppet Studios released their hilarious remake of Queen’s opus, and my laughter at the computer was enough to bring my two girls running to the screen to see what was so funny. The timing was particularly fortuitous, as I’ve been doling out old Muppet Show skits (which, tragically, are very scarce on YouTube or anywhere else aside from the DVD sets) to my kids over the past several months. I know funnier things have come along since that show aired, but the level of inspired brilliance that The Muppet Show churned out from one week to the next over the course of five years in the late 1970s may be unmatched in the history of television – and it seems like one of my responsibilities as a parent is to make my offspring aware of such. (Yes, really.)

So the kids already had a little bit of the groundwork; they recognized Gonzo and Animal and the Swedish Chef and Fozzie Bear and the "Mahna Mahna" guy, but much of the remaining cast was a complete revelation to them, just as much as the musical compilation was to me. And I suspect when I hear "Bohemian Rhapsody" in the future, that jostling going on inside my head will be the Muppets elbowing their way past Wayne and Garth to become my primary association with the song.

At any rate, you can judge for yourself. The action really gets good at about the 1:50 mark.

The Muppets, "Bohemian Rhapsody" (click to play):


Now there’s just a single parental responsibility lingering from the weekend – one that was phrased succinctly by my 6-year-old:

“Who’s Queen?”

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