Vega One Bars and Vega Sport Protein, Gel, and Sugar-Free Energizer Review

Hi all!

A quick note -- my mom is going in for a minor surgical procedure this afternoon. It shouldn't be a big deal at all, and she'll be out this evening, but nonetheless I'd appreciate well wishes sent her way! Thanks :)

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About two months ago, I saw a friend tweet about buying and trying a Vega One bar. She mentioned how tasty they were so I asked her what else she thought, since I hadn't tried them. Vega reached out and asked me to email them and then sent me some Vega Sport products and Vega One bars to review.

I was shocked at how generous Vega was with what they sent me -- thank you, Vega!! It was neat to try out their products, and I'm very happy to say that I liked everything they sent!

Vega One Bars

I'm always on the lookout for good protein bars since I don't eat meat -- if I haven't had enough protein on any particular day, I try to supplement with a protein bar. I can be pretty picky since I never want it to eat something that has an ingredient list that's a novel. And of course, it has to taste good. I also don't want five trillion calories, please.

I'm pleased to say that not only are the Vega One bars tasty, they have a super ingredient list. While they are a bit high in calories for me at 250 calories, these would be a great on-the-go meal with a banana or a good recovery bar after an intense workout.

On the taste test front, Sourabh actually loved these bars. He generally hates most bars I give him, but when I gave him this bar to take to work this summer, he came home saying he really liked it and would eat them everyday if I had them. High praise! In fact, I have no pictures of these because Sourabh gulped them down so quickly!

Vega Endurance Gels

I am completely obsessed with the endurance gels!! They're my favorite product out of everything Vega sent me. I was a bit nervous about marathon training because I have a hard time getting things down once I've started running. I can typically get down a couple of shot bloks after five or six miles, but after that, even shot bloks are hard. Gels were an absolute no-go for me. I just couldn't gag them down!

Enter Vega's endurance gels. Not only do they taste like real, natural food -- think a slightly gritty apple sauce consistency -- they are made with whole ingredients. The first thing on the ingredient list is dates! Even cooler, they're the only gel to use coconut oil, which is metabolized in the liver and provides instant, non-carbohydrate energy.

I was having some stomach/GI issues with other fueling options and haven't had any issues with Vega's endurance gels. I can get them down easily while running and can even do two in one run, which impressed me since that was impossible with other fuel I tried.

Basically, I love these gels, I'm going to buy them as soon as I run out, and they'll be my fuel for the Chicago Marathon. 

Vega Sugar-Free Energizer

Unlike the gels, I didn't have a love affair with the sugar-free energizer. Unfortunately I just didn't like the taste that much. 

With that said, the sugar-free energizer really did give me an energy boost before yoga or a pilates-style workout (anything lower intensity). I think it's particularly good for when you're doing an afternoon or evening workout and the thought of moving seems impossible. 

A quick burst of energy to help you "get in the zone" without a bunch of weird chemicals can be exactly what's necessary to get you working out. I would definitely recommend this for that purpose, even though I didn't love the taste. Plus, it's only 5 calories, which is nice!

Vega Sport Performance Protein

I've mentioned before how I like to drink a protein shake after a tough workout if I'm not going to be eating soon. I want to aid my muscle recovery by providing it with a hit of protein. However, a lot of protein powders, while tasty, have an ingredient list that makes me shudder. That's definitely not the case with Vega Sport's performance protein. It's made of pea, saviseed sacha inchi, sprouted whole grain brown rice, and alfalfa proteins. Natural cocoa and vanilla are used for the flavors. 

As for taste? It's not identical to a milkshake, but it also doesn't taste fake. I personally will give up a bit of taste for a much better ingredient list. But it's not a huge sacrifice -- my protein shakes were still very tasty when made with Vega Sport's performance protein powder, and Sourabh liked the shakes. 

Like I said earlier, Sourabh is the ultimate arbiter of my "taste versus health" question. He will almost always err on the side of taste, so no matter how healthy something is, he's unswayed if it doesn't taste good. And he liked the shakes I made with this powder!

Oh, and as for the calorie and nutrition -- 25 grams of protein, 6 grams of carbs, and only 3 grams of sugar for 130 calories. I like those stats!



I was not compensated for this post beyond receiving free products to try, and all opinions are my own, as always!

Books, Baubles and Taste Testing New Products

Books Page!
I've just added a new page to the blog! I love to read, and I zip through a lot of books while commuting to school or work in the summers, so I've decided to add a page where I write short snippets of reviews to hopefully start a conversation about fun books. I always feel boring -- my hobbies are reading, TV shows and movies, running, working out, and yoga. Scintillating, I know. I've been considering taking up base jumping just to up the "cool" factor.

Anyway, if you're looking for a book recommendation or want to recommend one to me (I'm always looking for good books!), check out the page and leave a comment with your thoughts.

Enjoying Down Time
Since it's finals period right now, classes are over. But since I TA'd and took a projects class, as I wrote earlier, I don't really have much in the way of finals (just a short take-home exam), so I've been enjoying the time without classes.

hangin' with my buddy, Mason

Monday I hosted a breakfast for the first-years I mentor and tried to calm their nerves regarding exams. As I've mentioned before, law firms hire for summer associate positions in August after students' first year, so there's a lot of pressure. Law students also tend not to be the most relaxed sorts of people anyway, so there was a lot of reassuring going on.

After the breakfast, I went home to grab the Dear Santa presents I needed to mail before my spin class at Flywheel. I've been loving taking Holly Rilinger's Monday "lunch club" Fly 45 class the day after my long runs. No matter how sore my legs are or how tired I am starting the week, I always feel reinvigorated after one of her classes. This Monday she ended the class with U2's "Vertigo," which I loudly sang along to (sorry nearby riders). For some reason I hadn't put this song on any of my workout playlists, despite loving it, so I rectified that oversight!

I spent the afternoon reading some materials for my exam before heading down to Midtown East to try a kettleball class (review to come!). I was left wiped out so my previous dinner plans were pared down to "put protein smoothie ingredients in blender and press button." But honestly, it just didn't cut it. I don't know how people make meals out of smoothies! I went to bed feeling hungry and woke up ravenous. Note to self: pre-prepare dinner for nights when you have a late night exercise class.

holiday decorations at Columbus Circle

On Tuesday, I took care of some online errands before meeting up with a friend from the firm I'll be working at next fall. I brought a salad to eat at the take-out tables of Bouchon Bakery and then we split some delicious baked goods from their bakery before checking out the new H&M in Columbus Circle and browsing around C. Wonder for a while. Neither of us really bought anything, it was just an excuse to chat for an hour.

pretty baubles

We both agreed a celebratory jewelry shopping spree at C. Wonder will have to happen after we get our first paychecks next year! I love how C. Wonder is colorful but work-appropriate. New York law firms are very conservative, so a lot of "work" clothing and jewelry in women's stores just isn't the kind of thing a young female lawyer can wear. Jazzing up a grey wool sheath with one of the necklaces in the picture above will count as exciting for me once I start work!

After a fun afternoon catching up, I worked on my take-home exam a bit more before taking a Refine Method class. I like how different each Refine Method class is -- it leaves you guessing so the time passes really quickly! Once I got home, I made a dinner of salmon, Brussels sprouts, and fingerling potatoes all hashed together (sensing a theme? I love hashes!), then cheered on the Knicks to a thrilling last-minute win against the Nets. This season has been so much fun so far!! Is anyone else a basketball fan?

Testing New Foods
I enjoy taste testing new healthy items, so I'll often pick something up from Whole Foods if it's being taste-tested or if I've heard of it on other blogs before. I went a bit crazy last week and got two Health Warrior Chia Bars, a single-serve of Vega's Vanilla Chai protein powder, and some coconut oil.

taste testing time!

The coconut oil was a huge success. I loved it as a butter replacement in the chewy chocolate chip cookies I baked over the weekend. And I've made a few cookies in a cup with it and loved the coconut oil in those as well. A cookie in a cup is where you put cookie ingredients for one serving in a mug then microwave to bake -- I try to make healthy variations on them (and sometimes not quite so healthy). I'll definitely be using coconut oil for future baking projects!

Unfortunately, the other items were a bust. The coconut Health Warrior Chia Bar was okay, but I spent the next 20 minutes fishing chia seeds out of unknown crevices in my teeth. Definitely not something to eat before going somewhere with... any people at all. The chocolate flavor tasted so bad that I just didn't bother finishing the bar after the first bite. Bummer! I'm always looking for another snack bar to add to my rotation of Lara Bars and KIND bars, but these were not it.

The Vanilla Chai flavor was also not my favorite. I'm wondering if I did something wrong, though, because I've loved the Vega flavors I've tried in the past. I mixed it with a banana, water, and almond milk. Perhaps it would have been better with some pumpkin for a pumpkin chai flavor? I'm not quite willing to give up on this flavor because I love chai spice so much!

Any smoothie suggestions? How can I improve my smoothies and their taste?
Anyone else work in a conservative office and enjoy finding ways to add fun into your wardrobe?

Holiday Stocking Gift Guide

'Tis the season for gift guides. And since I love and adore lists of any kind, I wanted to put together a guide, too! But this one is slightly different -- it's a stocking gift guide. If you don't do stockings, then I feel sorry for you, because my favorite part of Christmas is reaching into a stocking and pulling out random little gifts. So, here are a few suggestions for how to fill the stockings of your loved ones.

Oiselle runfinity scarf or rundies

Oiselle runfinity scarf - $22 (source)

I ordered the runfinity scarf because (1) it's made of wicking material so I can use it to keep my neck warm on runs, (2) it's an infinity loop so there's no figuring out how to tie it in a casual-yet-cool way, and (3) STRIPES. I love stripes. Who doesn't love stripes? I'm wearing the scarf right now. It's amazing. Stuff it into a ball then put in the stocking.

Oiselle rundies - $65
(source)

I think these are the cutest things ever. If you're a runner and you like cute undies, how could you not love these? Ball each one up individually to fit into a stocking.

Nutritional Shake Powder

Pro tip: get the individual serving packets. It'd be hard to fit the whole bottle into a stocking. 
(source)

This one seems weird, I'll admit it. However, if you're related to someone who works out a lot, then there's no way they won't love and appreciate this gift. Protein shakes are a delicious and nutritious post-workout snack/meal, and any dedicated sweataholic will appreciate this. Since some brands taste horrible, I highly recommend Vega. I've never tasted a Vega flavor I didn't like!

Justin's Nut Butter (Vanilla Almond)

$9.99 at Whole Foods
(source)

Random? Taste it and tell me it doesn't belong on every holiday list ever. Sadly, the Vanilla Almond Butter is only at Whole Foods, but I think the Chocolate Almond Butter is found in many places, and it's also crazy good. This would make an awesome stocking stuffer. Or just a gift to show a person how much you love them because after tasting this, there can be no question. These also come in $0.99 single-serve packets that are also perfect for stockings.

Magazine subscription

$19.99 for 1 year subscription (but look for deals!)
(source)

Magazine subscriptions are easy to find deals on, and you can often order an annual subscription for someone for $10 or less. I just started getting Runner's World and really like it, but there are plenty of other magazines for the health-conscious -- Women's Health, Self, Health, Fitness, Shape, Oxygen, Running Times, Women's Running, etc. etc. etc.

Run fuel

On-the-go nutrition products make great stocking stuffers. They're not that expensive so you can stuff quite a few in! Nuun is great for hydrating for long runs (drop a tab into water and drink before or during a run). Clif shot gels are another kind of running nutrition. I find they're great pre-run but I have a hard time swallowing them when my mouth is slightly dry during a run. The chocolate or mocha flavors are my favorites -- they taste like frosting! I'm a big fan of Lara bars since they have a wonderfully short ingredient list and are pretty filling for a bar. My favorite flavors are apple pie, blueberry muffin, and peanut butter chocolate chip (extra protein).

Fun hair accessories

Kitsch hair ties - $9.99 for 5-pack
(source)

Sparkly Soul headbands - $15 for 3/8 inch, $17 for 5/8 inch
(source)

I love sparkly, colorful things for workout apparel, and this extends to my head. I've mentioned my love of Sparkly Soul headbands before, but not Kitsch hair ties, which are also super cute. These would be extra fun to wrap around some other stocking gift, like a protein bar or nut butter.

Classes at a favorite studio

This sort of qualifies as a regular gift (especially at NYC class prices), but gift cards can easily go into a stocking since they're small. If you know your loved one likes taking group fitness classes, then look into getting them a class or pack of classes. This kind of gift is especially appreciated after the holiday season! Jen-approved studios include Uplift Studios and Refine Method for cardio-strength-circuit workouts (Uplift has workout+wine classes!), Flywheel Sports for spinning, and Physique 57 for barre work.

Erica Sara Designs Say It Do It bracelet

$18 for brass (currently sold out), $32 for sterling silver, and $40 for gold fill
(source)

I love, love, love these. I got an Erica Sara Designs SIDI bracelet to motivate myself to a sub-2:00 half-marathon in the next six months and I wear it every day. It really is inspirational to see a note to yourself carved into metal on your wrist. And you can customize the engraving, the strap color, the metal, and the font! It's not often that you can make jewelry quite so personal. Again, a great stocking stuffer for a family member who you know has a fitness goal or likes external motivation.

Running socks

$10 for 1 pair
(source)

Laugh all you want at putting socks on a Christmas gift guide, but if I receive running socks in my stocking I will be thrilled. (That might just demonstrate the depths of my run-nerdiness) Proper running socks can help you avoid blisters, blackened toe nails, and other running ailments. I have a pair of Injinji socks that I bought after Dori recommended them and I wear them for every long run. I haven't developed any running shoe blisters since switching to special run socks for long runs!

Do you love stockings? What are your favorite stocking stuffers?