Day 10/30: Shakeology

I've noticed all my last posts about the 30-day Surprise PT Challenge were all fitness/exercise based... but what about the nutrition side? That's just as important, if not more, than fitness itself.

So thought I'd write about a nutrition product which I truly believe in and drink several times a week as my breakfast.

**Disclaimer: I do NOT work for/sell/or gain any profit off of Beachbody products. I'm not a Beachbody coach. I just really believe in the company and their products.**

Beachbody is an amazing company - top notch fitness programs (my FAVES are P90X and ChaLean Extreme) and a passion for "ending the trend of obesity". Earlier this year Beachbody released a powdered nutrient powerhouse - Shakeology! I won't get into the details (but you can read it here) but I just love this stuff. It's basically powdered whole food sources that carry a ton of nutrients from veggies, fruits, grains and seeds and of course some protein thrown in for good measure. Shakeology is advertised as a nutritional/energy shake, not necessarily a meal-replacement or weight-loss shake, but I use it as my breakfast (blended with a mix of different things) and I have no doubt that some of my weight-loss is due to the shake.

I've been drinking it at least 3x/week for the last 5 months and I can't say enough about it! No joke... I can feel a difference on the days that I don't have my Shakeology... the energy level really isn't there. And sure, it might be 'all in my head' but if me just thinking it works makes it work, then why not? Plus do some research and read about what the other THOUSANDS of drinkers have to say. But even more important than the energy increase (and that's an energy increase without any stimulants, I might add!) is knowing that my body is getting the nutrients it needs and that's the most important thing. I'm working really hard to get the body I want and achieve the fitness level I want so I need to make sure I fuel my body correctly.

Why wouldn't I want to get the most out of my workouts and diet?

And Shakeology helps me do this by giving my body the nutrients it doesn't get from my diet. Of course I watch my diet, but even a person who eats clean, clean, CLEAN, can't get all the nutrients they need from the food they eat. How would you like to eat two pounds of broccoli, 10 cups of blueberries, five pounds of spinach, or 8 apples at a sitting? And even those won't cover everything you need!

It took me a while to finally order my first bag of Shakeology because like fitness gadgets, I'm skeptical of what's out there. But I did my research and read up on what makes Shakeology, Shakeology and I do believe it's one of the best supplements out there. And for me it's worked out great! I love it and will continue to use it for as long as I can!

Now I know this sounded like a sales pitch for Shakeology and I assure you I have nothing to do with this company except that I'm a loyal customer. But come to think of it, I do profit from Beachbody and Shakeology. I've profited stronger muscles, lower levels of fat, more energy, and a huge boost of self-confidence! No financial gains are in order for me after writing this, this is just one happy user sharing her thoughts and opinions on Shakeology!

Attack of the Green Monster!

It's the attack of the Green Monster... and it is delicious!

Don't let the green slime-color fool you!

In the blog/health world, a Green Monster is a shake made with spinach. Yup, spinach! The recipes and ingredients differ from person to person, but one of the main components has to be spinach.

I made it for the first time the other day and LOVED IT! So what's in mine:

1 cup soy milk
1 frozen banana
1.5 cups of spinach
0.5 cups blueberries
1 tbs. flaxseeds

You can't even taste the spinach and the shake tasted like some frosty banana dessert!

According to others who drink these little monsters daily, you can add up to 2 cups of fresh spinach without getting any "grassy" flavor and they're right. I've made Green Monsters almost daily since I've tried this one, and not once have I ever tasted the spinach. I drink Shakeology (Greenberry or Chocolate) most mornings and now throw in two handfuls of spinach... such an easy way to get in more veggies and nutrients.

After my workout sessions, I normally have a protein shake, so I've been throwing in handfuls of spinach into those as well. Just be sure to blend it all up and I promise you won't be disappointed.

I even tried just plan soy milk blended with about a cup of spinach and you can't taste it. SERIOUSLY!

Don't knock it till you try it!

Shakeology recipe and mini-review; 2-Day Fast Formula

Shakeology and Mini Review

- 3/4 scoop chocolate
- 1/4 scoop greenberry
- 1/2 cup soy milk
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup frozen, fresh strawberries
- 1 tbs. ground flax seeds

Loves it but think I'll add in an extra 1/4 cup of the strawberries or other mixed berries, bringing it up to 3/4 cup strawberries, just so the berry taste is a little stronger. I think frozen cherries would be awesome too!

Okay, so the other day I missed my Shakeology drink because I was in a rush and had to leave the house (YES, I was in such a rush I didn't even have 2 extra minutes to make my shake). Anyway, I kid you not, but I could feel a big difference in my energy level. Now before I go on, let me say that drinking a shake does not "put you on edge" like energy drinks. No jittery, heart-racing effects, but I just feel more awake then normal, like I got a REALLY good night's sleep. Well anyway, I've been drinking one shake daily for the past 12 days and missing it just this once put me in slump for the first half of the morning until I could get some whole, clean food into me at lunch time. I guess it's a good time to mention my routine. I make my Shakeology and have it as my breakfast every morning. Since starting to drink the shakes, I have cut out my daily multivitamin/mineral because I track my nutrients daily in a food log and by adding Shakeology, it covers a lot of what I miss out on daily. I get the rest of my requirements from fresh fruits and veggies but I do add in my multivitamin/mineral on days that I'm lacking on some of the nutrients.

Well the day I skipped my shake I didn't take my vitamin either and I just wasn't "up" like I normally am. I felt a lot more tired even though I've gotten good sleep the previous nights before then, and I noticed throughout the day my eyes were getting dry and irritated again like they used to pre-Shakeology. So far I'm still loving it and will report back on other "findings"!
_________________________________________________________________

2-Day Fast Formula

So I've had several people ask me about how the 2-Day Fast Formula went (I mentioned I was going to do it on the weekend of my recovery week), however I didn't get around to doing it. That weekend turned out to be crazy filled with outdoor (and indoor) activities with friends so thought it was best to not do the fast. My next Recovery week is the first week in June so maybe I can do it then. But with Summer coming in, not sure I want to give up a beautiful weekend again. We'll see. But for now, the 2-Day Fast will have to be postponed.

Another Shakeology recipe and a short review

This morning I tried the Greenberry again but had to tone it down a bit with some Chocolate Shakeology too. And I didn't add protein powder this time (thanks to Carl Daikeler who left a comment on my previous Shakeology blog!). This is what I tried this morning and the taste of the Greenberry was so much better (or rather masked):

- 1/2 scoop Greenberry
- 1/2 scoop Chocolate
- 1 banana
- 1 tbs. natural peanut butter
- 1/2 tbs. ground flaxseeds
- 1 cup water and a couple of ice cubes

I like my Shakeology thick and creamy so the banana did a really good job at thicken up the shake. I usually use soy milk in place of water to give it a little froth, but since I'm planning to have my "cheat meal" today, I didn't want the extra 100 calories. Anyway, it was really good this way and next time I think I can add a little more Greenberry. I'm trying to get used to the taste. Need to pick me up some OJ because that helps a ton with the grassy taste.

So far, this is day 5 of enjoying Shakeology as my breakfast replacement, and I LOVE IT! Seriously! I know it's expensive to buy it up front, but $3 -$4 a serving is not bad at all! You can't even buy a meal for the price and I guarantee you won't get the nutrition like you do in Shakeology. Again, I AM NOT A COACH so I'm not trying to "sell" Shakeology... but... I can see a big difference already. Mainly in my energy level. When I get to work, I'm completely awake and I'm so much more efficient! Seriously! I can concentrate so much better and I feel so much better overall. I usually workout in the afternoons, but on the mornings I exercise before work, I feel AMAZING and so much more energized for the rest of the day! This is how Shakeology has made me feel the past three days... without a workout in the morning. And I'm still so shocked at how full one shake will keep me. I drink my shake at 7:30 in the morning and I can last the 3 or 4 hours before my mid-morning snack.

I'm so glad I shelled out the money for it... I can't wait to see what happens after 2 weeks... and a month... and more!

SHAKEOLOGY is here!!!

I finally got my Shakeologies (is that a word?) in the mail on Saturday... chocolate and greenberry! Now I am NOT a Beach Body coach so I'm not trying to sell Shakeology, so over the next 30 days, I will be giving an honest review about it and the wonders that it's suppose to bring to me. I also know this is not some kind of miracle drink that will let me lose weight and give me great skin and nails and tons of energy all by itself. I do understand that this has to be paired with a proper diet and exercise program. I'm looking at this as a wellness drink for my body rather than a weight-loss drink. I feel like this is the biggest misconception out there about Shakeology. First and foremost, it's a healthy, healthy drink to add to your diet and one of the many benefits of using it is weight-loss.

Anyway, on to my concoctions.

Last night I used it as my meal replacement for dinner and made this:

- one scoop chocolate Shakeology
- half a scoop of vanilla whey protein
- 1 tbs. natural peanut butter
- half tbs. ground flaxseeds
- 1 cup light soy milk
- couple of ice cubes

It was so good!!! I thought I was drinking a chocolate peanut butter milkshake or something! I'm not planning on using it for a dinner replacement, just had to try it out. This morning I tried the Greenberry and I'm on the fence about the taste of this one. It's a little too wheat-grassy for me but I'll try it with different ingredients first. This is what I made this morning:

- one scoop greenberry Shakeology
- half a scoop of vanilla whey protein
- 1 cup soy milk
- half a cup of frozen berries

I've tried it with only orange juice and I have to say, that was better than this recipe. Will try it again tomorrow and we'll see!

And P.S.
NO GAS PROBLEMS FOR ME!! That's the biggest thing I was worried about!