Hits and Misses

My typical product reviews feature products that I have grown to like, usually due to exceptional nutritional content or some other unique attribute that strikes my fancy. Today, however, I am going to include a few less-than-stellar products; I don't like every foodie find that passes my lips. What follows are a miss, a hit, and um, a semi-miss.

Vega Complete Whole Food Health Optimizer
Anyone who reads my blog knows that smoothies comprise a large portion of my diet--I have at least one per day! As a result of my infatuation for all things blended, I have sampled a vast array of protein powders. From soy to spirulina to pea to rice protein, I have tasted and enjoyed them all...almost. Recently, the kind people at Vega were nice enough to send me a box full of goodies, including packets of "whole food health optimizer," "whole food vibrance bars," and a sampling of a few other products. The most appealing item to me of the entire assortment was the packet of protein powder, er, "whole food health optimizer." Despite a previous (bad) experience with the berry flavor last summer, I decided to give them another try with the vanilla chai flavor.
Unfortunately, attempt #2 was just as unpalatable. Considering how much I dislike wasting food, it speaks volumes that I poured it down the drain. The taste was chalky, and the plenitude of vitamins and minerals in the mix was very apparent in the flavor. Good try, Vega, but no thanks.
If you're still interested in nutritional stats and product availability, you can visit the Vega website. In addition to the vanilla chai flavor, the whole food health optimizer is also available in berry and chocolate varieties.

Vega Vibrance Bars
Heads up Larabar fans: here's another bar to add to your list! After my experience with their protein powders, I was a little wary about trying Vega's bars. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find them absolutely delectable--and super nutritious! Coincidentally, both times that I sampled the bars were at the airport, as I waited for delayed planes to arrive, and both times, the bars' unique flavors provided momentary relief and distraction from the stresses of holiday travel.
Vega Vibrance Bars are available in chocolate decadence, green synergy, and wholesome original. I first tried the chocolate decadence, and it certainly lives up to its name. It reminds me of Larabar's Jocolat line in that it tastes like a healthful brownie! Organic sprouted almonds, organic hemp seeds, and organic sprouted buckwheat add a pleasant "nutty" texture to the bar. The wholesome original was equally enjoyable with its less rich but still sweet flavor. All varieities contain a wide selection of superfoods including an EFA oil blend, salba, acai, and chardonnay grapes (for their powerful antioxidants and flavonoids). Read more about these ingredients here.
Each bar contains 200-210 kcalories, 9-10 grams of fat (including omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids), 5 grams of fiber, and 9-10 grams of protein (from rice and pea protein).

Other serving suggestions might include: crumbled into yogurt or broken into pieces atop oatmeal.

Amazing Grass
In an effort to create a rainbow of oatmeal, I recently purchased a single-serving packet of Amazing Grass in the berry flavor. This packet turned my oats a vibrant shade of green, due to its inclusion of vegetables as well as fruit extracts. While it achieved its purpose of coloring my breakfast, I am not sure I would purchase it again. Its sweetness was a tad overwhelming, and the overall taste was typical of supplements in that its outstanding nutrition (in the form of vitamins and minerals) creates an off-putting aftertaste. An important note about Amazing Grass is that its vitamins and minerals are derived from whole foods, not synthesized.
Perhaps I will give Amazing Grass another chance by using it in its intended form, a smoothie. Each packet carries a hefty price tag, at $1.99 per packet, although it is available in bulk quantities for less. For more information about Amazing Grass products, click here.
Enjoy your evening!

Healthy Habits: Taste the Rainbow!

One of the simplest ways to ensure that you're getting adequate nutrition from the foods you eat is to reach for color. If a food boasts a vibrant hue, chances are good that it contains loads of valuable carotenoids, antioxidants, and other phytochemicals that promote overall health. In an effort to take advantage of all these nutrients (and experiment with some new foods!), I aim to include as much color in my diet as possible. As many of you know, I have chosen my oatmeal bowl as the conduit through which I may "taste the rainbow." Here are a few pictures of my kaleidoscopic breakfast adventures:

Raspberry oats with chopped almonds
Pumpkin oats with pecans, cinnamon, and ginger
Pineapple oats with coconut and cashew butter
"Amazing Grass" oats with chopped almonds
Blueberry oats with almond butter
Pomegranate oats with almond butter and wheat germ
For more information about colorful eating, click here.

Killin' Time

With my final papers complete and just one (non-cumulative) exam separating me from my freedom, I am just killin' time now. Sure, I could be studying hard-core for that stat exam...but what's the fun in that? Today's events included an excellent run in the morning, followed by a trip to pick up my paycheck...and an "accidental" trip to Whole Foods. WF is located just across the street from where the Writing Studio, where I picked up my paycheck; the siren song of organic edibles lured me across the crosswalk. I was good though; I just browsed the aisles and picked up the latest issue of Clean Eating, my most recent magazine addiction. I spent the rest of the day semi-studying...and cooking, of course!

Friday
Strawberry shakes are the epitome of sweet simplicity. Just strawberries, Nutribody protein, and soymilk went into this treat.
Saturday
Continuing my quest to "taste the rainbow" through my oatmeal bowl, I decided to tackle the yellow portion of the spectrum with pineapple. Light coconut milk, shredded coconut, and cashew butter added a complementary tropical element. Yum.
I made some simple chickpea tacos for lunch using chickpeas, zucchini, cumin, oregano, ground red pepper, and salsa. I also had a salad and some applesauce with pecans.
For dinner, my friends and I headed to The Washington Duke Inn to kill off some superfluous food points. The Inn is quite ritzy, so it was brimming with luxe Christmas decorations. We couldn't resist a picture by the Christmas tree:)
Anyway, here's a recap of what I ordered: Bibb lettuce salad with pear, bleu cheese, and toasted hazelnuts. Next came my specially ordered entree. I asked for a surprise vegetarian dish, since the menu's meat-free options were quite limited. As it turned out, the sous chef is a vegetarian himself, so I received quite the stunning meal: layered sauteed vegetables atop a potato-fennel pancake. For dessert, I ordered the pomegranate sorbet with fresh berries. Everything was phenomenal, and it was a great way to spend the evening.
After all that food, I still managed to save room for another strawberry shake.
Sunday
Next up on my oatmeal adventure was GREEN. As you might recall, I attempted to make green oats before (unsuccessfully) with a pistachio Larabar. This time, I definitely achieved a green hue. The magic ingredient was a packet of Amazing Grass, in the berry flavor. Look for a review in the future.
After chapel and a few hours of feverish paper-writing, I took a break for lunch. I made a sweet potato hash with black beans, chickpeas, broccoli, cumin, and ground red pepper. I also had a salad with Goddess dressing and peaches.
I kept dinner simple last night, as my motivation to think was waning after I pumped out page 18 of my paper. I had a salad with soynuts, toast, and an apple with PB.
The shake last night was another Spirutein success. The flavor of choice was cookies 'n cream this time to which I added 1.5 frozen bananas and soymilk. What a great way to reward myself:)
Monday
With so much time on my hands today, I got creative with my meals. I started off with some banana fingers: banana dipped in cinnamon-spiked plain yogurt, then rolled in crushed spelt flakes. I used some cashew butter for dipping.
Upon my return from Whole Foods, I heated up a can of lentil soup and served it alongside salad, toast, and Waldorf salad. My Waldorf consists of diced apple, vegan mayo, currants, chopped almonds, and a dash of nutmeg.
For dinner tonight, I dusted off my copy of ED&BV to create some Orange Sesame Tofu. It was superbly delicious, just as I remember it from the last time I made it. I served it alongside whole grain couscous, ginger-laced zucchini and mushrooms, and a salad with orange slices and peanuts. Whew. Lots of food, lots of satisfaction.
I'll be heading to bed soon, but I'm in need of some good reading material. What are you reading right now? Winter break is one of the rare occasions that I have the time to read for pleasure, so I plan to take full advantage of it! Please send any recommendations my way!

Be back Wednesday.

Edited to add: Check out this awesome giveaway at Eating Bender! You all know how much I love blending things...