Posts

…Dehydration: Endurance Athletes kryptonite…

As an avid endurance runner, one of the  first AND last things that are on my mind when I am getting ready for a race is nutrition.  How will I nourish my body to ensure it has the nutrients it needs before/during/after my race AND how can I prepare my body to obtain/maintain hydration.

What is dehydration? 

Dehydration occurs when you use or lose more fluid than you take in, and your body doesn’t have enough water and other fluids to carry out its normal functions. If you don’t replace lost fluids, you will get dehydrated.

Dehydration also can occur in any age group if you don’t drink enough water during hot weather — especially if you are exercising vigorously.

You can usually reverse mild to moderate dehydration by drinking more fluids, but severe dehydration needs immediate medical treatment.

SOURCE: Mayo Clinic 

How to tell if you are dehydrated:

In Adults

  • Extreme thirst
  • Less frequent urination
  • Dark-colored urine
  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness
  • Confusion

Infant or young child

  • Dry mouth and tongue
  • No tears when crying
  • No wet diapers for three hours
  • Sunken eyes, cheeks
  • Sunken soft spot on top of skull
  • Listlessness or irritability

SOURCE: Mayo Clinic 

If dehydration is not taken care of, the side affects can cause some severe body issues.

There are several things that can be done to help someone stay hydrated for normal day-to- day activities OR for those that are getting ready for athletic activities.

  • Drink water before, during, and after any physical activity that you do
  • Avoid or limit alcoholic beverages (studies have shown that consuming alcoholic beverages actually dehydrates your body MORE than it hydrates your body).
  • If you are on a high protein diet, make sure that you are drinking additional water to help aid your body with digestion and processing the food that you consume.
  • You can use electrolyte tablets, salts, or drinks to help maintain your hydration during vigorous events

I was lucky enough to get to try SaltStick chewable tablets.

When I get the chance to try a product like this, I like to put it to the test. I used and tested this product while I completed several different races:

  • 5k (3.1 Miles)
  • 10k (6.2 Miles)
  • Half Marathon (13.1 Miles)
  • 25 K Ruck March (15.5 mile Hike with my weighted ruck sack on)

Typically I get slight dehydration issues when I complete a half marathon or during my 15 mile ruck. Typically around mile 10 is when I start to notice some slight issues and I take measures to hydrate more (in addition to already drinking water).  I also did these events in weather that was not above 60 degrees. So, the heat was not a major factor for me.

I consumed two tabs before the start of each of the above events which I found to be helpful (from my own personal expedience).  I took two more tabs around mile 8 and also at mile 10 to hopefully prepare myself for my usual dehydration symptoms. To be completely honest… I did notice a positive difference in my overall hydration AND my pace was slightly faster than normal.

Believe me… I was somewhat skeptical of this product being able to aid in my hydration AND increased pace for my longer races.  But, then I stumbled upon an article and research about SaltStick (CLICK HERE TO READ IT)  

Now, to be honest I have been training and pushing myself to become a more efficient runner leading up to these races.  BUT, I was not expecting my pace and speed to increase as much as it did (I ran my half marathon 12 minutes faster than normal AND I completed the 25 K Ruck March 15 minutes faster than normal).

Overall Comments: 

I was excited but also skeptical to try this product. But, from the times that I tired the product I did not find anything negative to say.  The chew-able tabs had a taste similar to the sweet tart candy tablets.  They were not overly bitter and they did not cause me to have dry mouth.  I also had some tablets on a empty stomach and the tablets did not seem to cause me any issues. The product is sweetened with stevia and is said to be non-GMO, gluten-free, vegetarian, fat-free.

Quality for Price: 

These capsules and chew tabs can be purchased online and in stores.  Be expected to pay around $22 for a bottle of 100 capsules. The 60 count chew-able tabs are about $15. You can also get individual packs to make them easy to pack/carry during events. In my opinion this is a great price for this quality of product.

Ranking Scale: (on a scale from 1-5)

Price: 4.0

Overall Quality: 4.5

Quality for Price: 4.5

Overall Ranking: 4.33

Closing Remarks: 

I would say that I would recommend this product. I enjoyed it and I did notice a slight difference while using this product. I would for sure suggest trying it out on your own to see if it indeed is something that you can regularly incorporate while you endure athletic activities. For more information about SaltStick please CLICK HERE and you will have access to their website and the other products that they offer.

 

**NOTE: Please make sure to note my product review disclaimer that can be found HERE***

…Merchandise Evaluation: AMEVIE Sunglasses…

For those of you that REALLY know me, you know that I have two accessories that I am ALWAYS wearing… headbands and sunglasses. When I had the opportunity to try these glasses out I was BEYOND excited.

AMEVIE is a company that created products that are focused on being a brand that focuses on sun-care and lifestyle brand that cares. After a full year of research and development, they recently launched their FIRST product line, a collection of sustainable bamboo sunglasses.

The brand was born from the owner/creators own need and desire to develop safe products that protect the entire family from the harmful UV rays. The bamboo sunglasses are water-proof and sweat-proof as well as they are perfect for travelling as they come with a foldable case. And as for protection, they sourced the best lenses available, UV blocking and polarized.

Overall Comments:

I am IN LOVE with this brand and product. I am a HUGE stickler for actually trying out products. I wore these glasses to social events, athletic events, and even during some of my own outdoors workouts. I got complimented on the overall style and sleekness of the design. While I was working out in them, they DID NOT slip off of my ears or nose easily.  Once I was drenched in sweat… they of course slipped. BUT leading up to that point I had NO issues at all.  They are light weight and very comfortable to wear. The folding case that comes with it is an added bonus!

I seriously had friends trying to steal these glasses away from me… so that tells you the overall quality and design is favorable.

Quality for Price: 

Looking at the AMEVIE glasses I was shocked at first at the original price of these glasses.  BUT, I would have to say I am a firm believer in “you pay for the quality of the product you want”.   It is clear that the higher price of these glasses makes them a higher quality accessory.  They performed well in various settings for me.  If you are someone who enjoys wearing glasses, these would be a good addition to your wardrobe.

Ranking Scale: (on a scale from 1-5)

Price: 3.5

Overall Quality: 4.5

Quality for Price: 4.5

Overall Ranking: 4.16

Closing Remarks: 

I honestly enjoy these glasses. Like I said I tried them out before writing this review because I wanted to make sure they would withstand “normal” abuse and not break after wearing them over a weekend. Again, they were very stylish and comfortable. Shipping was quick and painless.  Not to mention you get the folding case, sunglasses carrying bag, and lens wiping cloth ALL INCLUDED with your purchase. I hope to be able to get more of these glasses to add them to my accessory collection!

Please feel free to check out AMEVIE’s social media pages:

Facebook CLICK HERE 

Instagram CLICK HERE

**NOTE: Please make sure to note my product review disclaimer that can be found HERE***

…Merchandise Evaluation: prAna Jeans & Sweater…

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prAna is a clothing company.  They thrive on creating versatile, stylish, and sustainable clothing and accessories that you can wear during every activity, every adventure, every day.

prAna was started in a garage in Carlsbad, California back in 1992. At that time yoga and climbing gear left a lot to be desired, so Beaver and Pam Theodosakis decided to create their own stylish and sustainably made clothes. They sewed the first pieces themselves, labeled them with tags made from homemade recycled paper, and shipped their orders in fruit boxes from local grocery stores.

Today, prAna is still based in Carlsbad. We’re a lot bigger than we used to be, but we continue to follow our core belief that companies like ours should give much more than they take from the world. Our commitment to sustainability, community, and doing right still inspires and pushes us to find innovative ways to do good things in a good way.

I was lucky enough to get to try out a full outfit from prAna and this is what I got and my overall thoughts:

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Overall Comments:

I was VERY skeptical about getting these items and trying them on.  I am a woman, this has a very unique shape and build.  Because of that, it is very hard for me to find clothing (especially jeans) that fit correctly and COMFORTABLY.

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This is the sweater Stacia Sweater.  I deiced to get a size medium (I am 5’10 tall, I have long arms and a long torso. I typically get sweaters larger so they will be long enough for my torso and my arms).  This sweater is SOFT and comfortable. The color… is by far one of my favorite shades of blue/green.  And, this sweater is cozy yet helps to keep your body heat contained.  What that means is, I am a cold natured person. I am typically cold no matter where I go.  I was quite warm during the whole time that I had this sweater on. The length of this sweater was GREAT!

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The next item that I would like to talk about are the jeans:

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These are the Kara Jean and I got these in a size 10. I typically get jeans that are a size bigger because I have a round bottom and thick quads (in other words ladies… I have a bit butt and thick thighs! No shame in those gainz! LoL). I was very interested to see how these jeans would fit (especially since I did not get to try them on before I got them).

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I was SHOCKED at how well they fit me.  I slide the jeans on and was able to button them with ease (also meaning that my training has paid off and I have not grown to need a bigger pants size 😛 ).  There is a slight stretch in the jeans, so in the areas that the jeans were more fitting, they were not uncomfortably tight.  They actually fit just right. Like I said… I was SHOCKED at how well these fit.  And the quality of the material is great! It is not a thick jean material.  It is a thinner/stretchy material but has a great color and I love the folded pant legs at the bottom.

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Price & Quality: Over the years I have learned to embrace and accept the term “you get what you pay for”.  The Stacia Sweater is about $89.00 and the Kara Jeans are about $89.00.  Yes this seems like a steep price to pay for a sweater and jeans… BUT once you get these items you will realize exactly what you are paying for. You are paying for a quality product that will be able to keep up with you and your busy/active lifestyle.  You are paying for organic and recycled material that is used to create some of the pieces of clothing that prAna offers. You are paying for the bluesign® systems tat was created to ensure that the fabrics that are uses meet the highest environmental and human safety standards. You are also paying for Fair Trade which are standards that were created to ensure that garment workers have safe working conditions, a voice in the workplace, higher earnings, and that women are treated equally. Although these rights may seem basic, they are simply not guaranteed in many of the countries where clothing is produced. You are also paying for traceability  which is prAna might not know the exact plant that grew the organic cotton, but then can make a close guess.  They can trace their fabrics life from the farm where the bowl of fiber was grown, through processing and production, all the way to end product. prAna finds it very important to make sure that what they sell their customers is in fact what they claim it to be.

So, if you are looking for a cutting edge company to support, prAna offers various products that are organic and environmentally friendly.  They take pride in providing the best quality products for their clients, giving back to the community and their workers, and being able to use natural resources to create their products.

HERE IS A COUPON CODE for 15% off your own prAna purchase: PFS16LIFE

Code is valid until 10/31/2016

…Merchandise Evaluation: Candice Foods Energy Bars…

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I have had the amazing opportunity to try out a different kind of energy bar.  For those of you who know me, you know that I am somewhat of a energy bar/protein bar addict.  With my hectic lifestyle energy bars and protein bars are a perfect thing to pack and travel with you.  So when I am able to find some bars that taste amazing and provide the nutritional values that I am looking for they become a staple in my diet.

Candice Foods  is a company that provides a line of bars for those of us who enjoy 100% natural and healthy things to incorporate into your diet. Candice Foods Energy Bars are FREE OF GLUTEN, DAIRY, ALL NUTS, PEANUTS, CORN, SOY, EGG, CASEIN, are all natural and protein packed with energy boosting sunflower seed butter.

Overall Comments:

These bars are VERY yummy! They are pretty dense (due to the products used to make the bar).  It does not have the texture of a typical protein bar or “nut” bar.  It is a nice texture but just something that is different from what I am use too.

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Quality for Price:

The bars are about $3.20 per bar of you can save some money and buy a whole box of 12 bars for $27.00 (or get the variety pack box for $28.00).  Getting a box of bars will cost you about $2.25 per bar (a much better deal).

For the price of a box of bars, this is very comparable to other popular bars that you can find at the store or online.

So yes, for the quality of this product it is well worth the cost that they are offered.

Smell/Taste:

The aroma of these bars when you tear open the package is very enticing! They smell is very fruity and pleasant.  The Java bar (one of my favorites out of all of the bars that I tried) has a slight coffee smell.  I am not a huge coffee fan so I was slightly hesitant about trying that flavor.  But, as I bit into the bar it was clear that there was a plethora of other flavors swirling around in my mouth as I chewed.

Each bar that I tried was packed with that same amazing taste.  There was not one particular bar that tasted horrible.  They all were delicious and true to their flavors.

This is the type of bar that I would have after a workout, in between meals, or even as an addition to my breakfast (or another meal).  This bar can be eaten any time of the day and will satisfy that sweet tooth if you happen to have one. The bar is indeed filling and leave you feeling satisfied if using it as something to fill your stomach until you have your next meal.

Side Note: 

Their customer service was beyond amazing. Any questions that I had they were very prompt to reply to me.  I am HUGE on customer service and how a company treats their customers no matter what the circumstance may be.  So, it was very refreshing to have that happen.

So all in all, I would have to highly recommend this product to anyone who is looking for a good healthy alternative for energy bars. They have a handful of flavors to choose from, but all of the flavors taste AMAZING. So if you do buy one bar…or even a full box…you will NOT be disappointed.

Ranking Scale: (on a scale from 1-5)

Price: 4.0

Overall Taste: 4.0

Quality for Price: 4.5

Overall Ranking: 4.2

…Merchandise Evaluation: Bolder Band Headbands…

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Alright ladies (and possibly gentleman) I know that some of you are fashionistas outside AND inside of the gym.   It is perfectly fine if you would like to look stylish why busting a sweat at the gym.  I will be honest and say that some days I do feel that way…and others I don’t LoL.  On the days that I am feeling stylish I will dress cute to the gym.  Not to impress anyone but just because that is how I am feeling that day.  And the other days you will see me sporting the random articles of athletic clothing that are not in the dirty clothes hamper.

I was lucky enough to have Bolder Band Headbands send me some to try their very stylish accessories that can be worn inside AND outside of the gym.  They are called Bolder Band Headbands.  I have tried several different types of head bands over the years and hands down these are by far one of my favorites.

Overall Comments:

90% of the time I am wearing some sort of headband but I always have an issue of them falling off or even falling apart after me using them so much and washing them.  I have put these to the test and they pass with flying colors.   Bolder Band Headbands  come in a variety of colors and styles which is awesome because you can buy a few and they can match various outfits.  They are very soft and the material is very stretchy yet durable.  I have A LOT of hair.  So I need something that will stretch especially on the days when I decide to wear my hair BIG and crazy.  These worker perfectly and did not slip or fall off.  And when I washed them (I did hand wash them and hang them to try) they looked and felt as if I had just taken them out of the package.

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Quality for Price:

Looking on the Bolder Band Headband website these range from $14-$15 which is a very reasonable price for headbands.  I know that when I have purchased some from the local super store or drug store they have been very similar to that price.  They also offer some deals where you can get free shipping when you place a minimum purchased order. So I know you are asking, “Are these bands worth $15?” and my honest answer would be YES.  I would (and plan on) buying more to give away as gifts to friends.  They are so cute and they have so many different styles to choose from.  I like that you can get away with wearing it at the gym and also use it as an everyday accessory.

Ranking Scale: (on a scale from 1-5)

Price: 4.5

Overall Quality: 4.5

Quality for Price: 5.0

Overall Appearance: 5.0

Overall Ranking: 4.75

**NOTE: Please make sure to note my product review disclaimer that can be found HERE***

I rather enjoy these bands and like I said I plan on getting more.  The only reason they did not get a complete 5.0 rating is (1) they do not currently offer a deal if you purchase more than one. It would be awesome to get a deal like…if you buy 4 you get one free or if you buy “x” amount they will be $10 each…or something like that. (2) I also think it would be cool to have a variety of  widths in the bands.  I know that some days the thinner bands look better depending on my hair style…and sometime I need wider bands.  TO have that variety would be awesome! But other than that I do not have anything negative to say about this product or the company and I highly recommend it!

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…Merchandise Evaluation:Metabolic Nutrition Tri-Pep BCAA…

There are so many supplements out on the market today.  What are certain supplements used for? What is a good brand of supplements to use? All great questions for those who are new to living a healthy lifestyle.  The best answer that I can tell you is to DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH!  So many health and fitness bloggers have their own products that they like to use.  And certain products will work differently for me than it will for you.  Yes it may take time (and money) but the key is to do your own investigating and try products that you think will be beneficial to your fitness success.

Today i will share my experience with Metabolic Nutrition’s BCAA’s.  Thanks to BestPriceNutrition.com they sent me these great samples to try to share with you guys today.

TriPep

What are BCAA’s?

BCAA’s = Brand Chain Amino Acids.  During strenuous workouts your body can get depleted of these BCAA’s so you can ingest them via a supplement for to help replenish the stores that are being lost in your body.  BCAA’s are a very vital component to your muscles.  Do you HAVE to take BCAA’s…NO but you really do not have to take any type of supplements.  Some people like to take them to help improve their overall workout experience and to help maximize the results that come from strenuous workouts.  For more details and an in-depth description about BCAA’s check out THIS article.

Overall Comments:

This was a GREAT product.  I have taken several different brands of BCAA’s and this is by far one of my favorite.  It mixes very well with water and the flavor is full and delicious! The flavors i got to try was watermelon and lemon and they both were amazing! My favorite by far was watermelon.

Quality & Taste

The quality of this product seems to be very well.  Metabolic Nutrition offers a great line of products.  There has not been a product from that company that i have not enjoyed yet.  It taste great, mixes very well, and seemed to be very satisfying.  You can find this product on BestPriceNutrition.com for about $40.00.  This price is about average with other good quality BCAA brands.  You can sometimes find them for cheaper but you can expect to pay around $30-$40 for a good quality product.  Yes it is slightly expensive, but you are definitely paying for the quality when purchasing these types of products.

Ranking Scale: (on a scale from 1-5)

Price: 3.0

Overall Quality: 4.0

Quality for Price: 4.0

Overall Taste: 5.0

Overall Ranking: 4.00

**NOTE: Please make sure to note my product review disclaimer that can be found HERE***

Overall this is a great product and I would recommend it to anyone who asks about it. It is very hard to trust a brand and quality until you try it!  My friends and I will usually find a new product and split the product (to also help split the cost).  50% of the time one of us will not like it and the other person will.  You can sell your portion of the product to the friend that enjoys it and you are really not out a whole lot of money or trouble. It is wise to find your own ways to find great products for you to add to your diet. But if you are looking for a great product I highly recommend this one.

…Merchandise Evaluation: YurBuds…

Today I would like to share with you my experience with “Inspire”  yurbud earphones which are made for women and to fit the activity levels of athletic women.

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Overall Comments:

When I got these headphone I was VERY skeptical as to how they worked and if they were indeed a good quality product.

Upon getting these headphones I was VERY surprised as to the design and how these headphones worked.

HANDS DOWN…THESE ARE MY FAVORITE HEADPHONES THAT I HAVE EVER TRIED!!!!

These headphones offer so many innovative things!!! My favorite part…how they “twist and lock” into your ears.  This allows them to securely and comfortable fit into your ear AND provide quality sounding music from your music device. I also LOVE the lanyard that is the cords of the headphones. There is nothing negative that I can say about these headphones.

The website shares this information about the headphones:

Train in color with the Inspire Pro for Women Sport Earphones from yurbuds®. Featuring a 3-button sweat & water-resistant microphone system with full track, volume, & call control, these yurbuds are compatible with iPhone®, iPod®, and iPad®, and are fully integrated with Siri® and other voice-control features for a hassle-free experience. Designed specifically to fit smaller ears, these in-ear buds are sweat & water-resistant, allow for ambient noise awareness, and are guaranteed never to hurt or fall out. With an ergonomic fit that delivers consistent, premium sound quality, yurbuds Inspire Pro for Women are the perfect training partner for any female athlete. #INSPIREFORWOMEN

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Price:

Looking on the website they have a wide range of headphones that vary in different prices. The women “Inspire” headphones that are pictures above are $59.99.  This is a VERY reasonable price for the quality of product that you are getting.  Compared to cheap $10 or $20 head phones that I have personally purchased, these headphones are of a higher quality and they are worth every penny that you spend on these headphones.

Quality:

Like I state above, these headphones are of a great quality!!

I received these headphones a few months ago.  But before I shared them with you guys I wanted to put them through my own personal test.  This included my intense cardio circuit workouts, my long distance early morning jogs, and even a long distance race that I recently ran for a local charity.  During all activities I have ZERO issues with the headphones.  They were very comfortable and did not fall out or hurt my ears at all.  On top of the being comfortable they provided quality sound from my mp3 player.

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Ranking Scale: (on a scale from 1-5)

Price: 4.0

Overall Quality: 4.5

Quality for Price: 4.5

Overall Ranking: 4.34

**NOTE: Please make sure to note my product review disclaimer that can be found HERE***

Did  I also mention that you get a carrying case for the headphones? This makes it SO much easier to toss them into your gym bag.  You can easily find them AND they will not get all tangled up with your clothes or the other items that are in your gym bag.

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Each set of yurbuds comes with:

yurbuds inspire pro for women sport earphones
2 sizes of enhancers
Wire clip
Sport carry pouch

SPECIAL CHRISTMAS GIFT PROMOTION:

Contact  me to get a VIP code to get $10 off of YOUR purchase of yurbuds!  Yes that is right! $10 off!!

I only have a small quantity to give away so contact me TODAY to get your code to save you some money on your headphone purchase! I HIGHLY recommend these headphones for any woman who is very active.  Like I said before they are very comfortable and fit with my active lifestyle.

…Merchandise Evaluation: Protizyme Whey Protein…

For those who know me I am slightly addicted to GOOD whey proteins.  They are a HUGE part of my diet and when I find one that I like I usually stock up on it!  I was lucky enough to get to try another whey protein today that is created by Metabolic Nutrition.  The folks over at MySupplamentStore.com were kind enough to send me a sample to try out and tell you guys about it!

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Overall Comments:

Like I said before, I am a HUGE fan of whey proteins.  I have tried quite a few brands and I would have to say I am pretty picky about which protein I choose to include into my diet.  There are a lot of factors that I take into consideration when trying new proteins and I would have to say that I am very impressed with what this protein has to offer.

Here is the nutritional information of the Chocolate Cake Flavor that I was able to try:

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As you can see this protein is low-calorie, low in carbs, and HIGH in protein.

From the manufacturer’s website this is what they had to say about the product:

Protizyme’s 10x ultra-microfiltered process preserves the essential protein-peptide, structure which delivers greater concentrations of amino acids, glutamine and BCAA’s. Each gram of protein in Protizyme is coated with only the most potent digestive enzymes…dramatically increasing digestion and absorption, therefore eliminating gas and bloating.

Protizyme is fortified with 24 essential vitamins and minerals, providing optimal nutritional benefit absent in other proteins. Additionally, Protizyme contains the highest levels of bioactive protein fractions and immunoglobulins to improve immune function, support intestinal health and promote a greater sense of well-being. Lastly, Protizyme contains the exclusive, ultra-powerful ingredient TAG (Trans-Alanyl-Glutamine), the world’s only “Muscle Targeted Glutamine”…which boosts your body’s rate for muscle recovery and repair by over 425%!

Protizyme is suitable for all: low-carbohydrate, low-fat, low-glycemic, reduced calorie, gluten-free, and diabetic diets…as well as, a good food supplement for Bariatric or post surgical patients.

2013-09-19 09.40.17Price:

Looking at MySupplamentStore.com this product cost $44.99 for a 2 lb tub.  This price is about average with any other website or store where this product can be found.  For higher quality protein you will expect to pay more.  So for this type of protein the price is very reasonable.  The saying “you get what you pay for” can be applied when you are looking to purchase your supplements.  You do not want to spend too much BUT you want to spend enough so that you know you are getting a good quality product. (not to say that all expensive products are a great quality BUT most of them  are).

Quality:

The overall quality of this protein IN MY OPINION is great. The consistency of the product is not too think and not too thin.  This is both in the powder form AND when you mix it with water (or milk or whatever you choose to mix it with).  It was a little thicker than most proteins that I drink BUT it was so yummy it seemed as if I was drinking a shake.  I would def blend this with ice to have a shake if I wanted a sweet treat late at night. They important thing is to DO YOUR OWN research when you are looking for supplements to add to your diet.  Each person has different nutritional goals so you will want to find the products that work best for you.  I will HIGHLY consider purchasing this product the next time I need to re-stock my protein supply.

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Taste:

The taste of this protein is AMAZING! I was only able to try the chocolate cake flavor but it indeed tasted like a liquid form of chocolate cake!  (and yes I could even taste the frosting! LoL).  It is a stronger and more distinct chocolate flavor.  Different from other chocolate flavor proteins that I have gotten to try.  This protein would rank in my favorite top 5 when it comes to taste!  And that is the honest truth.

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Ranking Scale: (on a scale from 1-5)

Price: 3.5

Overall Quality: 4.0

Quality for Price: 4.0

Overall Taste: 5.0

Overall Ranking: 4.13

**NOTE: Please make sure to note my product review disclaimer that can be found HERE***

Overall I was VERY pleased with this product.  They have various flavors to choose from and from the other reviews that I have read it seems to be a pretty good product.  I personally really like it and I hope to be able to purchase some the next time I re-stock on my protein supply.  If you want something that taste great and has a pretty good macro breakdown I would highly suggest this product! I would purchase this to drink AND to cook with. Yuuuuummmmm… I am already thinking of SO many ways to use this product!!

…Merchandise Evaluation: FrogFuel Performance Protein Pack…

Today I would like to share with you a product that I got to try.  I got to try a protein pack from FrogFuel

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Overall Comments:

In all actuality this is a great idea….HOWEVER…I am on a pretty strict diet and if I had a choice I would rather consume my protein in a meal instead of in a shot.  This would be great for those who are on the go and need to get the extra protein into their diet.  This would also be great for those who need a boost of protein but do not have the time to sit down and eat a full meal.  So using this product had a lot of perks!

The packaging of the product is very easy and convenient.  It has an easy pull tab and you can squeeze or such the protein shot right out.

They say that this product is FDA approved (which does give the product some merit since it was tested and approved.  BUT it does not mean too much since the FDA approval system has its own flaws).

They also have a shot that contains caffeine to help give you an energy boost.  So if you need the extra energy boost trying the caffeine shot at the start of your day or before a workout can give you a little extra push.

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Price:

The price for this product is kinda high.  For one box of 24 – 1 oz. shot packs is $48.00.  That is a steep price for 24 servings of 15g of protein.

Let me put it to you this way… a can of tuna fish is 5 oz of meat and cost around$0.99.  It it about 113 calories, almost 25 g of carbs, and 0g of carbs.

With ONE shot of Frog Fuel you get 60 calories, 15g of carbs, and 0g of carbs for about $2.00 a shot.  The only major difference (in my opinion  is the price.

I did not see a huge difference with the sampled that I tried.  If I had a whole box and used it regularly I may be able to see a difference in my everyday energy levels and to see if the protein shot did indeed give me the boost.

Quality: 

The creators of this product say it is a high quality type of protein that is fast absorbing.  So this would be something good for those who need something on the go or to use at a sporting event.  I tried to do a little research on some of the information that was provided by the site.  I did not find anything that says it was a “superior” type of protein.  I didn’t find anything that said it was a bad protein either.  It will all be based off of preference and if you try this product and like it.  I did not get to try a whole bunch of it so I can not make a solid decision on it being “the best” protein to use.

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Taste:

The taste was OK! It was not horrible and it was not amazing.  At first the berry taste is strong and favorable at first.  The after taste has a small bite at the end and it does leave a slight taste in your mouth for a few minutes.  But it is nothing that will make you want to gag or spit it out.  It is liquid shot (not like a gel or pudding).  And it has a similar taste to red bull (in my opinion).

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Ranking Scale: (on a scale from 1-5)

Price: 3.0

Overall Quality: 3.5

Quality for Price: 3.2

Overall Taste: 3.0

Overall Ranking: 3.2

**NOTE: Please make sure to note my product review disclaimer that can be found HERE***

Overall it was an OK product.  You would honestly have to try this product out on your own to see how you like it.  My nutritional needs are different from most people so I would not benefit very much from using this product regularly.  But, there are other people out there that might love this item and use it regularly.  It was nice to get to try this product and I would consider having a pack in my bag when I run a Tough Mudder or another obstacle race.  They are small and you can toss them into your gym bag or purse.  They are very practical for those who need to get more protein into their diet.

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THEIR WEBSITE! They have some great workouts posted for you to try and they also go into more detail about their product and what it has to offer.  

…Merchandise Evaluation: Best Price Nutrition…

 

I had the pleasure of getting to try some products from a great online supplement store called BestPriceNutrition.com

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Here are just a few of the items that i got to try from BestPriceNutrition.com

 

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Here are the items I tried:

Overall Comments:

I was very surprised by the variety of items they allowed me to try out! But I was also excited to see that it was the ‘Raw” brand items.  I have seen them several times but I have never been able to try them.

I do wish that I was able to try another flavor besides vanilla but that is OK.  The vanilla flavor was not bad but it is not the best tasting I have had.  It was your typical vanilla flavor and it was actually kind of gritty.  I did mix the Raw Meal and the Raw Protein in cold water (you have the option to mix it with milk or almond milk).  It was not a chalky taste (like some other proteins and meal replacements I have tried).  I am use to just “chugging” my protein shakes and that is the best method to use if you want to use these products.  The taste is not the best, but it is also not the worst.  It is for sure not a shake you will want to sip and savor the flavor with.

The Vitamin Code product were actually nice.  I did take my usual vitamins with it.  But i enjoyed that the product is made of all natural products.  I did not like that you had to take 4 of these capsules.  So if you do plan on purchasing these you may go through the bottle pretty fast since you have to take so many.  My stomach is sensitive to some supplements and this product did not give me any problems at all.  It did not leave a weird taste in my mouth or make me feel weird at all.

Lastly, i also got to try the Perfect Food Raw Green Super Food.  I naturally do not have a problem with my energy levels during the day.  And with the product I did not notice a big difference.  The product claims to give you more energy but I did not see a big boost (I usually get 7-9 hours a sleep a night and my diet is pretty clean.  I rarely have “tired” days).  I mixed this packet with water and I tried it with juice.  I recommend taking it with something that has a flavor or good taste. It’s not an awful taste (but it does not taste good either).  Some people enjoy the “super green” flavor…But it is not for me.  But I have no complaints about the product.

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Price:

The products are relatively cheap (compared to other similar products that are on the market).  The prices range from $24-$33.  You do have a CHEAP same day shipping option (at $4.99) and they do ship internationally.  Looking online, BestPriceNutrition.com is one of the cheapest places to get these products.  I would suggest finding a small amount and trying out the flavor before you go buy a larger container of these times.  The taste was not the best for any of them but some people may enjoy the “different” taste.

Quality:

These products seem to be of good quality.   They are made of certified organic products.  Per a representative from the company this is what they had to say:

Most of the ingredients that are used in the Garden Of Life supplements are certified organic. While some of the ingredients may not be certified organic they are grown under organic conditions with no herbicides, pesticides or other chemicals. Organic regulations do not permit us to use the organic designation unless we verify the organic certification of our vendors. An asterisk is used to denote the certified organic ingredients on our labels. The following products are labeled as certified organic with the USDA Seal;
RAW Meal Line
RAW Protein Line
RAW Fiber
Perfect Food RAW
RAW Probiotics for Kids
DetoxiFiber
Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
Organic Food Bars
Fruits of Life
Raw Probiotics 5 Day Max Care

Super Seed 90% organic
Living Vitamin C 90%

 

 

Ranking Scale: (on a scale from 1-5)

Price: 4.0

Taste: 2.0

Overall Quality: 4.0

Quality for Price: 4.0

Overall Ranking: 3.5

**NOTE: Please make sure to note my product review disclaimer that can be found HERE***

What were my favorite products from BestPriceNutrition.com?

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These two items were my favorite and I would consider purchasing them for personal use.  There was nothing wrong with the other two items I tried.  The flavor was not my personal favorite and that is a huge factor in me disliking the product. But I would suggest that any try the products for yourself to see how you like them. I can only share my honest opinion about my experiences with the items.