Ah, the New Year. Resolutions and goals have been made, but as the month of January lingers on, and life returns to being crazy busy, those goals and resolutions sometimes slip to the way side, especially in the health department. I know, because I've been guilty of this before hand, I'm sure we all have. Life gets hectic and your health takes a back seat and maybe you tend to do some stress eating, or maybe you don't, but I know I am guilty as charged for being a stress eater, and it's not handfuls of spinach I choose to indulge in either....
Well, that's where the #onechange initiative by Vega One comes in to save the day, and stop my serial snacker ways, it satisfies my sweet tooth AND has 3 servings of vegetables! As part of a kick start to the company's #onechange initiative, I was selected to sample and review their Nutritional Shake Product!
Well, that's where the #onechange initiative by Vega One comes in to save the day, and stop my serial snacker ways, it satisfies my sweet tooth AND has 3 servings of vegetables! As part of a kick start to the company's #onechange initiative, I was selected to sample and review their Nutritional Shake Product!
Vega Who? Vega One is a company created by Brenden Brazier, a professional Ironman triathlete, who was looking to create clean, plant-based nutrition. The Vega One Nutritional Shake is gluten free, dairy free, soy free, contains no added sugar, artificial flavors, colors, or sweeteners.
Essentially, it is a squeaky clean all-in-one supplement with:
Essentially, it is a squeaky clean all-in-one supplement with:
- 50% daily intake of vitamins and minerals
- 15 g protein (woot, woot!)
- 6 g fibre
- 1.5 g Omega-3
- Antioxidants
- Probiotics (hello healthy intestines!)
- Greens (drinking your greens? score!)
For the Review Post, we had to select one of four personas that suited us best, and as soon as I saw the photo below, I knew I had found my persona, I admit it: I am a serial snacker. Or as my parents call it, a grazer. It's a habit I picked up somewhere along my high school years, and try as hard as I can, something I can't seem to shake completely. When I'm stressed, when I'm bored, or just happen to be passing by the kitchen, a snack attack of sweets might occur. I'll open the fridge or cupboard, grab a handful of something, munch and crunch, maybe go back for a few more handfuls or not, and then leave, maybe to return again only a few hours later. Luckily, I have gotten A LOT better at not doing this, BUT I still have moments of weakness, especially when I am stressed out, then I go into full serial snacker mode....
I'm going to make #onechange by using Vega One to kick my serial snacker ways to the curb!
When I'm snacking or feeling a rumbly in my tumbly between meals, I know I need protein to feel full but I often don't like the options in my fridge because they aren't sweet. Or maybe I'm out and about and forgot to pack my purse with my typical bag of green beans and chicken. (Yes, you read that right, I often carry protein and greens in my bag, or in my car in a cooler) What can I say, I love to eat AND I have a big sweet tooth. So when I'm out or at home and feeling the urge to snack, I want to feel satisfied and full, and happy about making a healthy choice.
No extra effort required, no additional prepping, just #onechange to make, a simple snack swap with Vega One's French Vanilla Nutritional Shake instead of some mindless munching. I will keep a packet in my purse, in my backpack, and leave the box out on the counter in my kitchen. That way, wherever I am, I have a healthy option that's packed with protein AND greens as well as other nutritional benefits! Just add some water and it's good to guzzle!
When I'm snacking or feeling a rumbly in my tumbly between meals, I know I need protein to feel full but I often don't like the options in my fridge because they aren't sweet. Or maybe I'm out and about and forgot to pack my purse with my typical bag of green beans and chicken. (Yes, you read that right, I often carry protein and greens in my bag, or in my car in a cooler) What can I say, I love to eat AND I have a big sweet tooth. So when I'm out or at home and feeling the urge to snack, I want to feel satisfied and full, and happy about making a healthy choice.
No extra effort required, no additional prepping, just #onechange to make, a simple snack swap with Vega One's French Vanilla Nutritional Shake instead of some mindless munching. I will keep a packet in my purse, in my backpack, and leave the box out on the counter in my kitchen. That way, wherever I am, I have a healthy option that's packed with protein AND greens as well as other nutritional benefits! Just add some water and it's good to guzzle!
Trying It: Taste & Texture Review
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Don't let the greenish tint scare you away! I used to think I'd NEVER drink something green, let alone containing vegetables, but this past summer I fell in love with green smoothies and was pleasantly surprised by how sweet this French Vanilla Flavor was!
Above, I made a simple smoothie so I could really taste the product by using:
1 Packet French Vanilla Vega One Nutritional Shake
1 cup water
4 Icecubes
1. Add all ingredients together, blend, and sip!
OR
1. Add all ingredients together, put in your Blender Bottle, shake, and sip!
Initial Thoughts Upon Tasting:
- YUM! Despite it's strange shade, the drink satisfied my sweet tooth and had a good French Vanilla Flavor that wasn't overpowered by the greens inside the smoothie!
- The texture was a bit gritty, which is typical with any green smoothie that I've had before
Ideas for Use: See below section for actual recipes
- Make #onechange by using a scoop of any Vega One Nutritional Shake instead of your protein powder in your smoothies, mugcakes, or other recipes to get protein AND greens! It's THREE servings of veggies! SCORE!
- Add to your breakfast routine of greek yogurt, oatmeal, or overnight oats for total nutrients!
- Add to green smoothies for EXTRA greens, protein, probiotics, antioxidants, and fiber!
- Keep it in your purse, backpack, briefcase, WHATEVER you carry around for a quick fix when you need nutrients in a hurry!
If French Vanilla is not your thing, Vega One's Nutritional Shake comes in four other flavors:
Chocolate, Berry, Natural, and Vanilla Chai (I've have this one too, it's delish!)
What's your #onechange you're dedicated to sticking to this year in 2014?
Whatever it is, I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT!
Stay Happy & healthy <3
Above, I made a simple smoothie so I could really taste the product by using:
1 Packet French Vanilla Vega One Nutritional Shake
1 cup water
4 Icecubes
1. Add all ingredients together, blend, and sip!
OR
1. Add all ingredients together, put in your Blender Bottle, shake, and sip!
Initial Thoughts Upon Tasting:
- YUM! Despite it's strange shade, the drink satisfied my sweet tooth and had a good French Vanilla Flavor that wasn't overpowered by the greens inside the smoothie!
- The texture was a bit gritty, which is typical with any green smoothie that I've had before
Ideas for Use: See below section for actual recipes
- Make #onechange by using a scoop of any Vega One Nutritional Shake instead of your protein powder in your smoothies, mugcakes, or other recipes to get protein AND greens! It's THREE servings of veggies! SCORE!
- Add to your breakfast routine of greek yogurt, oatmeal, or overnight oats for total nutrients!
- Add to green smoothies for EXTRA greens, protein, probiotics, antioxidants, and fiber!
- Keep it in your purse, backpack, briefcase, WHATEVER you carry around for a quick fix when you need nutrients in a hurry!
If French Vanilla is not your thing, Vega One's Nutritional Shake comes in four other flavors:
Chocolate, Berry, Natural, and Vanilla Chai (I've have this one too, it's delish!)
What's your #onechange you're dedicated to sticking to this year in 2014?
Whatever it is, I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT!
Stay Happy & healthy <3
Recipe Ideas
Vega One French Vanilla Overnight Oats
2. Put into container with a lid
3. NOW THE FUN PART - SHAKE IT UP
4. Place in fridge overnight, enjoy in the morning, top with your favorite fruit
At first, I was nervous to try out this recipe, I was afraid the greens in the powder would give the overnight oats a weird texture and taste, but from first spoonful I was in love! The overnight oats were creamy and fluffier than ever, with a bit of grittiness, like a natural almond or peanut butter. The French Vanilla mixed with Vanilla Greek Yogurt really brought out the sweet flavor, which I loved! I would eat this again, scratch that, I WILL eat this again, tomorrow morning!
- 1/3 cup Old Fashioned Oats (Bob Mill's GF)
- 1/4 cup Vanilla Greek Yogurt (can use plain, but Vanilla will enhance the flavor)
- 1/3 cup lactaid (or soy, almond, coconut milk)
- 2 tsp. chia seeds
- 1 serving of Vega One's Nutritional Shake in French Vanilla
- fresh fruit to add on top the next morning!
2. Put into container with a lid
3. NOW THE FUN PART - SHAKE IT UP
4. Place in fridge overnight, enjoy in the morning, top with your favorite fruit
At first, I was nervous to try out this recipe, I was afraid the greens in the powder would give the overnight oats a weird texture and taste, but from first spoonful I was in love! The overnight oats were creamy and fluffier than ever, with a bit of grittiness, like a natural almond or peanut butter. The French Vanilla mixed with Vanilla Greek Yogurt really brought out the sweet flavor, which I loved! I would eat this again, scratch that, I WILL eat this again, tomorrow morning!
 A bit suspicious before shaking it up & placing it in the fridge |  First spoonful, here goes nothing! |  Pre-Berries Photo, DON'T LET LOOKS DECEIVE YOU, THIS WAS DELICIOUS! |
Vega One Blueberry French Vanilla Green Smoothie - A protein, antioxidant, and green packed delight!
This is a loose recipe, I rarely measure when making smoothies, I simply eyeball it, blend, sample, and add in any extra of what I feel is missing!
2. Blend for 2-3 minutes, or until spinach is all chopped up. The spinach will still be visible as flecks in your beverage, think of it as funfetti sprinkles ;]
3. Sip and Enjoy this nutrient dense smoothie, it's packed with protein, veggies, AND antioxidants!
This is a loose recipe, I rarely measure when making smoothies, I simply eyeball it, blend, sample, and add in any extra of what I feel is missing!
- 2-3 handfuls of fresh spinach (can use Kale, but it has more of a bitter taste than spinach does)
- 4-6 Ice Cubes (I tend to use more)
- 1 cup water (or you can use milk, soy milk, almond milk, coconut milk, rice milk, etc. or do half and half)
- 1-2 tablespoons of vanilla greek yogurt (or non dairy yogurt, lucky for me I can tolerate greek yogurt)
- 1 serving of Vega One's Nutritional Shake in French Vanilla
- 1/3 cup Frozen Blueberries (you cause use fresh BUT frozen gives it an awesome texture!)
2. Blend for 2-3 minutes, or until spinach is all chopped up. The spinach will still be visible as flecks in your beverage, think of it as funfetti sprinkles ;]
3. Sip and Enjoy this nutrient dense smoothie, it's packed with protein, veggies, AND antioxidants!
Disclaimer: I received Vega One Nutritional Shake as part of a campaign done by Vega One and Fit Approach in return for my honest review of the product, therefore all thoughts and opinions are my own
