Tall, Dark and Delicious

There is a new love in my life, version, delicious, never disappoints me. No, friends this isn't a post about how I finally found that certain someone special. This is about my favorite jumpstart to the morning, The divine Dark Chocolate meal replacement shake.

When I heard about the Dark Chocolate Vegetarian protein shakes I just could not wait to try them. I have tried and tried and tried many a vegetarian protein and meal replacement shake and almost all of them make me gag. I know they are good for me and a good source of plant protein but omg...most of them are uh...well kinda nasty. I can't quite place my finger on what the funk comes from but its hard to gag them down. So, needless to say I didn't have that high of hopes for this version. But...I decided to give it a whirl...if nothing else I knew it would be great to make some balls with!

The first time I had the shake I shook it up in my blender bottle with some water. Although this is great for the regular MRS shakes...the Dark choc does not get justice this way. I'm a big believer that everyone and everything should get a second chance to make a first impression. So, I did not give up on the DCMRS soul!

I made some balls and they were wonderful. A few days later I decided to tackle the shake again. This time I put in the old Blentec with water and ice. Oh yum! this was the ticket. The plant protein doesn't thicken up much like whey protein and I like that. I tend to like my shakes on the thin side so this was awesome. It has a dark rich chocolate flavor that is just amazing. I was in love!

I decided to really play around with the shake and have now finished the whole box and will be opening a brand new box tomorrow. I have come up with some delectable flavor combinations, to me its just as versatile as a vanilla! Be creative, my friends.

Add in ideas (with added foods, note will add calories of course)

• Add 1/2- 1 banana and some PB2 (this will make it thick and creamy option: freeze the banana first)
• Add 2 cuties (or mandarins) plus the zest
• Add 1/2 cup mixed frozen berries
• Add 1/2 cup fresh pineapple
• Add 2 Tbsp  unsweetened shredded coconut
• Add 2 Tbsp PB2
• Add 1-2 Tbsp almonds or almond butter 

Add in ideas (no added calories- perfect for 24 Day Challenge or Lean in 13)

• Cinnamon (vietnamese cinnamon is best find it here)
• Orange zest plus ginger
• Cinnamon and Cayenne (heat it up and perfect aztec hot chocolate!)
• Fresh Mint leaves or a few drops mint oil 
• Grapefruit zest 
• Mandarin zest
• Mix with Berry Shake and split with a friend-Chocolate covered strawberry!  yum

The possiblities are endless and your imagination is the limit!  Go out and be delcious, my friends!!

Spinning and Balls!

Spinning and Balls.  They go together like peas and carrots.   If you know me I not only love a good spinning class but I love my protein balls.  I love to eat them, I love to create new and fun flavors, I like to talk about them.  I just love them, love them, love them.  So whats better than to have a pre-spin ball?  It would be a crime not to.

Tonight was my first night back at spinning in a long time.  I ran into a good friend at the Y last night after swimming who twisted my arm to come spin tonight.  Since the old shoulder injury a bit over a year ago, I've shied away from anything that may remotely irritate my shoulder.  But...remember a little thing called the 24 day challenge and my super progress?? Yea!  I went for it, I spinned, I spun, I rocked it and no pain. NONE!  whaaaa??  That is huge, I still can't believe how wonderful I am feeling lately.  It was great to see friends I haven't seen in awhile, sweat up a storm and torch some calories.  After my ritual morning workout and a lunchtime walk, I'm expecting to be sore tomorrow.  Thank goodness I have some nighttime recovery to help ease my muscles tonight, these poor gams will need it!

Oh..right.  The Balls.  Gotta talk about the Balls.  Balls are a great pre-workout snack.  I knew I would be torching some calories and needed a little snack, so I made sure to pack some leftover balls I had made for a mixer....oooh baby they powered me on through.   Lucky you, 2 Bonus Ball Recipes!  

BALLS!

Vanilla Pistachio Balls

• 1 packet Vanilla Meal Replacement Shake
• 1/2 cup pistachio/walnut butter*
• 2 Tbsp raw local honey
• 6 Dates
• Dash cinnamon

Chocolate Almond Balls

• 1 packet Dark Chocolate Meal Replacement Shake
• 1/2 cup almond butter*
• 1/4 raw local honey

1. Combine all ingredients in Blendtec or Food processor til combined
2. Form Balls about 1 Tbsp.  
3. Enjoy!

*use store bought, natural no sugar added nut butters or place nuts in Blendtec and pulse on speed 1 til combined, then pulse on speed 6 several times to reach consistency desired, you may need to add a bit of oil to reach desired consistency, consider using coconut or hemp oil for an added boost!  

No glitter, just a little spark(le)

WOW!  So...I took my sample of spark this morning, then 30 minutes later had the protein  meal replacement shake.  Due to my extreme skepticism at the shakes, especially at chocolate shakes Jeanette gave me a sample, and damn it was good.  I mixed it just with cold water as not to mask any chalky or funky flavors.  And I'll be damned, it was yummy and kept me full all morning and didn't have a bunch of funky ingredients or fillers.  SOLD.   Actually another thing that sold me bigtime was this meal shake was designed by the same dude that  invented TPN!!  For you fellow medical folks you know how amazing this is, for you non medical folks TPN is IV nutrition that has saved millions of lives by providing nutrition at the cellular levels. (read more here) How freaking cool is that?!?

To my disappointment there was no glitter that sprung forth from the packet of spark much as I had anticipated.  But it did give me a nice energy, which felt awesome. I felt very spunky and I liked it.   Now anyone that knows me, knows that I am a huge coffee fan.  Caffeine has basically no effect on me, I can drink a grande americano and go right to bed.  I never get a coffee buzz if spark is what coffee does to normal people, then I'm jealous!

Ok now I really can't wait for my package to come!