Daily, FitFluential, Health, Photos, Reviews

My first thoughts on Vega’s Protein Powders

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Two posts. One day. On another roll. Let me tell you!

I skipped CrossFit again tonight, to attend Muscle Pump with my co-worker L McMomsie (She’s the one in the middle). She’s basically my new workout buddy and I love that she’s showing me the ropes. We’ve been going on runs together on trails I’ve never heard of, and now Yoga and Muscle Pump!

I literally just got back from doing it from the local YMCA. I spotted some baby triceps while I was in the elevator. I’m not vain at all ;)

I rarely ever publish blog posts in the evening. But this blog post had to be up before the end of July, because the product I’m talking about below is on a campaign deadline for the end of this month. I was sent some samples from Vega and received their Vega Energizing Smoothies.

You may have seen a few weeks ago that I ended up purchasing some Savi Seeds from Vega not too long ago from a local health food store, on my adventure with my friend Steph! So I’m a wee bit familiar with their products.

Brendan Brazier is a Canadian Ironman Triathlete (much like my Boyfriend — going for his 4th Ironman this August), he happens to be a Vegan professional athlete, meaning his diet is 100% plant based! Brendan is also the author of The Thrive Diet book which came out in 2007. When Brendan was training for his races he found it difficult to fuel, as a lot of the protein powders were made of Whey, which was a no-no for a vegan. He of course found some soy based protein powders but he was trying to cut back on that ingredient. (Read more about the Vega story here).

So, I busted out the first Vega smoothie I’ve ever had, after my workout tonight. I don’t know how much to measure out for a protein shake for myself, so I’m glad that they come in these one drink packets.

Save the best for last? No way folks. Have the best, first. Who doesn’t love a chocolate drink? I’ve been itching to try out Choc-a-lot ever since I received it.

The Vega smoothies comes in a variety of 5 different flavors: Choc-a-lot, Tropical Tango, Vanilla Almondilla, Oh Natural and Bodacious Berry. They are alkaline-forming, free from dairy, gluten and soy, and contains no added sugar, artificial flavors, colors or sweeteners. The smoothies contain:

  • 10g of Protein
  • 5g fiber
  • 1g omega 3
  • 2 servings of veggies per serving.

Two servings of veggies and all I have to do is add water and drink it? Sounds easy enough!

I actually didn’t mind the taste of it. It was strange – not the usual protein drink taste. Hard to believe since it’s plant based but the darn tootin’ smoothie really did taste plant-y! It was interesting. The consistency was too liquid-like for me. I ended up throwing about half of my drink out. I think next time I’ll make it with milk, or milk and ice cubes to thicken it up a bit.

Unfortunately since I do not wish to drink two protein powders in a row, I cannot review all of the flavors and the different ways to drink the Vega smoothies. I’ve heard that if you add water to the smoothies/protein powders that it will taste chalk, but I wanted to test it out to give it the full effect. Since it would defeat the purpose of being a completely vegan (even though I am not one) product.

So stay tuned for the following taste tests and final thoughts of these Vega products! I plan on putting some of the next one’s to the test and mixing them with milk for a different taste than adding water to the smoothie, and I have a great plan on adding another one to a bowl of greek yogurt!

Off I go to eat my dinner. Looks good right? Actually come to think of it, it wasn’t that colorful. Tasted some good though. First time making sweet potato fries. Thanks to my besties Boyfriend on making it while I was in Ottawa over the weekend, I’m now a huge fan! (Mine aren’t as crispy though!? Anyone know why? lol)

I cannot believe that one (small) sweet potato creates this many fries!

Are you a smoothie/protein powder drinker after a workout?

If so, what flavors of protein powders do you normally buy?

How do you cook your sweet potatoes?  I pan fried mine with a bit of oil…I can’t get over how much they taste like freaking potato french fries! YUM!

 

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CrossFit, FitFluential, Fitness, Workout Schedule

My CrossFit Journal (Year 1, week 20)

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The short:

  • CrossFit x 2
  • 5.35km run

The long (see below)

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year 1, week 20, day one

Linda: Modified
10-1
Dead Lift (1.5 x Body Weight) I used 105lbs
True Push Ups (on the rings!)
Clean (0.75 x Body Weight) I used 55lbs
What 10-1 meant was that we had to complete 10 dead lifts, 10 pushups, 10 cleans. THEN count down and do 9 dead lifts, 9 pushups, 9 cleans… 8, 7, 6 etc. I ended up completing 5 dead lifts and 5 pushups on the rings and the buzzer went off. I didn’t even use “that heavy” of a weight, but I certainly felt it throughout the workout!
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year 1, week 20, day two

20 minute time limit

5 Rounds
50 squats
12 chin ups

I came close to finishing the WOD and completed all 4 rounds of the 50 squats, 12 chin ups. I was on my 5th round of squats, and the timer went off. I think I had 5 left or so, then had 12 chin ups left to do.

After this workout I met up with my co-worker and her little boy and we went for a 5.35km run!!

 


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CrossFit, Fashion, FitFluential, Fitness, Photos, Reviews, Vacation

Canada Day Long weekend + a giveaway!

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This has got to be one of the top ranked weekends in 2012 thus far. For one, it was incredibly relaxing and two I got to spend it all with my Boyfriend. Now, you’d think I’d always spend weekends with my Boyf. But I don’t. Many of you already know this about him but he’s an Ironman Triathlete and is always on the go, training on his bike, going for long swims and pounding the pavement going for long runs.

I managed to go for a run during the early morning on Canada Day and ended up doing more km’s than I ever have in two years. I think it’s due to the fact that I didn’t know where I was going, and I could keep going and wasn’t thinking about how fast I could/should be going. I ran 7.5km’s in total.

I came back pretty sweaty.

I didn’t run it as fast as I usually like to go, but that wasn’t the point of this run. It was just to get out there and go.Our dog Alfie was looking pretty antsy on Canada Day and the Boyf and I then decided to venture out on a walk with him.

We ended up going for 90 minutes in total. So long but so relaxing!

I even found a set of swing stets and started squealing with excitement and going high in the air. Then Scott reminded me it wasn’t all that high and started poking fun at me ;) It sure felt high ….

Of course Canada Day wouldn’t be complete without Fireworks and some treats! We also heard some hoodlums setting them off at 3:00am that night as well. It woke us up and we were pretty angry about it to be honest, ha..Seeing as we had intended on waking up early to drive to Grand Bend beach!!! YEAHH.

We arrived super early in the morning and reserved some prime real estate on the beach. The boyf and I stayed there til mid-afternoon, cooking in the sun, then cooling off with a quick dip in Lake Huron. It was the perfect day anyone could ask for on a beach. It wasn’t too hot when you were laying down but you did get hot, and ended up quickly cooling off in the water. A light breeze, not windy at all.I’m kind of glad I didn’t bring my iPad or kindle to the beach that day because my Blackberry had to be put away for fear of covering it in sand. Danger bay!

We even brought along some popcorn supplied by Orville Redenbacher, sandwiches, water and apples to chaw on while we were there.

We were done for the day and decided to venture on back to our homeland. It wasn’t long after this photo was taken that I took a big chunk out of my middle finger. I accidentally rolled up the window with one hand while my fingers were still at the top on the other hand. Blood. Everywhere. I silently cried, and I felt like such a little girl with tears streaming down my face while Scott pulled over the car and bandaged me right up. It wasn’t deep enough for stitches, and I think it was just the initial shock and pain that threw me over the edge. I’ll spare you the details and any photos. But I’m all good now, with a nice band-aid over top for a few days :)

Back to the grind tomorrow. Back to reality.

Now for the fun giveaway part of this huge massive blog post!

One of you lucky readers will get the chance to win one of Vanessa‘s tank tops from her Etsy Store at Ruffles With Love.

I could definitely see myself sporting some of these tanks to my local CrossFit box. Love them!! They’re not just for women either, there are some men’s selection on there as well.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Enter using the rafflecopter form above. Open to residents of the USA & Canada and it ends on Saturday night at Midnight (EST).

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