I haven’t posted in what feels like forever due to my busy schedule and with recently getting hired at Chicago Raw (which I’m so excited about) but I’m back! This past week I received a huge box from my mailroom filled with wonderful goodies from Vega.
Vega is a company founded by Brendan Brazier who wanted to create a plant-based protein shake that was not only good for the body but also adapted to a vegan diet. He wanted to see if he could pack numerous nutrients into a powder without it lacking in delicious taste. After trying many of their products in the past and being the first vegan protein powder to try, Vega is one my favorites. No artificial sweeteners or colors like your average whey-based powders and no chalky after-taste.
I opened up my package in my dorm to a box of Vega’s nutritional shake in French Vanilla flavor, four packs of their protein smoothie in Choc-O-Lat flavor, a blender bottle and a book about Vega’s story with great inspirational photos. I had tried the Choc-O-Lat previously and let me tell you… I’m obsessed. The nutritional shake French Vanilla was a newbie though. My first recipe I decided to make using these Vega products was a smoothie bowl. Only makes sense since I practically live off of them anyways.
Thanks to Sambazon sending me a “Purple Love Kit” two weeks ago due to noticing my love for them via Instagram, I now have this amazing wooden customized Sambazon açai bowl. I use it for every smoothie/açai bowl I ever make because it keeps everything super cold and frosty-like. It doesn’t hurt that it looks pretty cool in pictures.
For this smoothie bowl, I used one packet of the Choc-O-Lat protein smoothie powder, 1/2 cup of blueberries, 1/2 cup frozen strawberries and topped it with Purely Elizabeth pumpkin fig granola and some diced strawberries. Even without the açai it tasted just like a bowl. I liked the Choc-O-Lat flavor because it tastes as if you just combined cocoa powder and stevia and threw it into your blender but the powdered mix gives you an extra kick of protein. Although I’m used to protein powders now that I’ve been drinking protein shakes for a few years, I don’t notice a taste like some people. But after kicking whey proteins out of my diet, I never notice a taste with brown rice and pea proteins. I love love love it. I always blend my protein powder with fruit for a smoothie but the protein smoothie powders are meant for on-the-go. This means you could easily pour into a glass with water or almond milk for a quick drink.
Another recipe I whipped up was a smoothie in the blender bottle they sent me which is BPA free. I combined a peach, frozen banana, almond milk, kale and the Choc-O-Lat packet with a ton of ice. Amazing. In case you can’t tell, chocolate flavored protein powder is the best and 99% of the time works with any fruit.
When I tested out the French Vanilla nutritional shake, I blended it with blueberries and strawberries to keep it simple. In one packet there are 15g of protein so I sometimes like to use half in one smoothie and save the rest for later. Good way to save especially when this stuff is so good (yet expensive). Since chocolate protein powders can blend so easily and hide powder-y flavors, vanilla is usually harder to come by. However, this French Vanilla flavor tasted just right. The nutritional shake also comes in Chocolate, Natural, Berry and Vanilla Chai flavors. I’ve tried them all previously and must say I would pick French Vanilla over Natural and Chocolate over Berry. Vanilla Chai has a distinct smell to it that I’m not too found of.
Among the plant-based protein, Vega packs into their powders some additions like greens (broccoli and kale), antioxidants, and digestive enzymes that aid in breaking down the nutrients featured in the powder.
Aside from these protein and nutritional shake powders, Vega also sells an All-In-One Meal Bar, On-The-Go Snack Bars in flavors like Cranberry Almond and Coconut Cashew and supplements like Chlorella (promotes healthy skin and eye health).
Without a doubt I would rate these protein powders a 10/10. The nutritious value measures up with the taste and I love the fact there is a dairy-free protein powder on the market with all natural ingredients.
Vega definitely delivers the best. No doubt.
-Addie
