Happy #TastyTuesday peeps! My life is now complete! After years of having the same post workout combo (protein power mixed with water and a 1/2 of a banana), I decided it was time to mix it up a bit. After what looked like a science experiment gone horribly wrong, I came up with this delicious goodness. I found the original recipe online and made some tweaks to make it my own.
1 c. Almond Breeze Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk
1/2 Frozen Banana
1/4 Alcohol Free Vanilla Extract
5-6 ice cubes
Blend in your handy dandy Ninja blender and enjoy!
This shake is a perfect post workout replenisher as is, but if you would like to make it more of a meal, make these modifications to make it more filling.
Add: 1 T nut butter
Add: 2 T uncooked oats
Use: 1 frozen banana
But if you would like to jazz up this shake a bit, pick and choose what you you would like to add and make your own version.
Ok, so this post has really has nothing to do with unicorns, but when I think of Unico Nutrition, I think of Unicorns and both Unico and Unicorns make me happy sooooo….
I am so excited to announce that I am a Unico Nutrition Ambassador and I will be contributing my vast knowledge of fitness stuff (running and lifting heavy things), mad cooking skills (mostly protein pancakes and coffee) and sarcasm to their blog. You can read my first blog post, Beating The Five Exercise Excuses here.
But for real though. In July I was asked to review a few Unico Nutrition products and I was instantly a super fan. Unico Nutrition offers a variety of items which are all awesome:
Now – to the good part! So, what can I do for you? As your ultra fabulous ambassador, I can offer you $5 off your when you use code FITTOGO at check out.
I can’t praise this company enough. They produce quality products that taste delicious and hold up to their claims. The customer service is outstanding and I can’t ask for nicer people to work with. And what I really love about this company is that they don’t claim to be the “beat all to end all” product that will be your magic pill. They know that you will make the change because of what YOU DO, not because of what you drink. To quote their motto: “We’re a supplement company. We’re not going to make you lose 10 pounds. We’re not going to make you gain 10 pounds of muscle. We’re not going to make you run faster, lift heavier, or set new personal bests. You’re going to do that. And we’re going to help.”
Once you buy all of the products, you must try the only post workout shake that I will drink to refuel my muscles and make my taste buds happy!
Apollo Vanilla Berry Goddess Protein Shake
1 cup Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk (more or less depending how thick you like your shake)
Before even considering it, I checked out the website to see what the products were all about. After like 15 seconds on Unico’s website, I was in love with the company’s honesty:
“We are a supplement company. We don’t make magic pills. We don’t promise overnight transformation. We won’t try and trick you with foolish marketing gimmicks. What we will do is help you make yourself better. We are here to supplement your journey towards your fitness goals-whatever they may be.”
“The supplement industry sucks. We were founded to become the exception. We’re not going to make you lose 10 pounds. We’re not going to make you gain 10 pounds of muscle. We’re not going to make you run faster, lift heavier, or set new personal bests. You’re going to do that and we’re going to help.”
And with 125 calories, 25 grams of protein, 5.5 grams of BCAA’s, 75 mg of Omega-3’s, 2.5 grams of prebiotic fiber, 1 gram of sugar, no gluten, no fillers, no artificial colors, no questionable preservatives I was all….
When the products were delivered, it was perfect timing….30 minutes until workout time!!! I ripped open the box, grabbed the Athena 3.0 Intense Cherry Limeade Blast Pre Workout and mixed myself up a dose of the cherry and limeade goodness. I am VERY sensitive to pre workouts, so I only used 1 scoop. Like the website claims, I had lightning fast energy, dialed-in focus and NO JITTERS!!!! I was able to push a harder during my lifts and I still had energy in the tank afterwards.
After my lift was over, I grabbed the Apollo Delicious Vanilla Milkshake Protein Powder and mixed up my post workout shake. Normally I mix my powder, 1/2 of a banana and water in my ninja because I HATE chunks in my shake, but I wanted to see how Apollo mixed in just a shaker. And, after a bit of shaking, it was smooth and creamy. The flavor was just as promised – delicious vanilla milkshake!!! YUMMMMMM!
I decided to give the pre workout and protein powder multiple tests so I could give it a full and complete review. I used the pre workout before a long run, an intense interval workout, a circuit style lift and the dreaded leg day. I was surprised that my energy stayed high and steady during each workout, even after a horrible night’s sleep. I also used the protein powder to make different types of smoothies to see if the claim that the “slow-digesting proteins” would keep me from starving to death 10 minutes after drinking it. Yep – they were right on that claim too. I made my favorite Frosty Protein Shake (I used chocolate protein powder in the original) and I have to say, I liked the Apollo version better than the original!
All in all I was pleasantly surprised with both products that I received from Unico Nutrition as well as Unico Nutrition as a company. To quote their Protein Promise:
“Whether you are training for a half-marathon, the upcoming-season, or building a better physique, your quest hinges on your ability to re-build your muscles stronger than ever before. Where several companies are cutting corners with amino spiking, and filler ingredients- we are standing strong. We promise to ALWAYS produce Apollo® right here in the United States using ONLY The highest quality proteins like grass-fed whey. We promise to always hold the quality of Apollo® first and foremost even in the face of higher costs. It’s our Protein Promise to you. And you can bet it will NEVER be broken. Ever.”
I am always proud to give my hard earned money to a company that stands behind their beliefs, had faith in their products and believes in keeping production in the United States. I’m glad I have found Unico Nutrition and I will be incorporating their supplements into my healthy lifestyle.
If you would like to give any of these products a try, use Promo Code FITTOGO when checking out and receive $5 off your order and free shipping!
My life is now complete! After years of having the same post workout combo (protein power mixed with water and a 1/2 of a banana), I decided it was time to mix it up a bit. After what looked like a science experiment gone horribly wrong, I came up with this delicious goodness. I found the original recipe online and made some tweaks to make it my own.
1 c. Almond Breeze Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk
1/2 Frozen Banana
1/4 Alcohol Free Vanilla Extract
5-6 ice cubes
Blend in your handy dandy Ninja blender and enjoy!
This shake is a perfect post workout replenisher as is, but if you would like to make it more of a meal, make these modifications to make it more filling.
Add: 1 T nut butter
Add: 2 T uncooked oats
Use: 1 frozen banana
But if you would like to jazz up this shake a bit, pick and choose what you you would like to add and make your own version.
This year I had SO many great health and fitness items that I added to my life, I just had to add on to the Top 12 Fitness Gifts for 2013 and include a few more!!! I have used each and every one of these items and I highly recommend them for you or the health and fitness finatic in your life!
The Apera Performance Duffel was designed to carry EVERYTHING that you and still keep you organized and looking stylish! Every Apera bag includes antimicrobial product protection inside and outside, ventilated compartments, a water resistant base and wipeable linings keep your bag clean, dry and healthy. No more stinky gym bag!!! Use Coupon code holiday2013 when checking out and receive free shipping and 20% off any bag.
I fell in LOVE with these headbands the first time I ever used them. I can’t stand having hair in my face when I am working out and Sweaty Bands really do their job. Using a non slip grip, they stay put through your hardest workouts and no matter how much you sweat or hard the wind blows. And with over 900 patterns, you will have on trouble fining one you love. And if you can’t, you have the option of creating your own custom Sweaty Band.
Vitamix – Shimitamix! This blender could slice, dice and puree a concrete block! The Ninja Master Prep Blender is perfect for making smoothies and protein shakes. Toss in ice cubes, nuts, fruits, veggies, whatever and it will come out smooth as silk! A little spendy but totally worth it. It has become a staple in my kitchen!
The hair tie that actually doubles as a super cute bracelet. I wear a few at a time, one in my hair and a one or ten on my wrist. I am always losing the plain black hair ties, which is ok. They are constantly breaking, stretching out and breaking my hair. Mane Message hair ties stay put without breaking my hair and because they are brightly colored, I never lose them. Mane Message hair ties come in a ton of colors, variety packs and gift packs. But online and used coupon code HOLLY and get 20% off and a free gift.
Tis the season for fresh berries! This weekend my family and I spent some time out in the woods picking blackberries. We got a little carried away and now I have 3 ice cream buckets full of the most beautiful and ripe blackberries that I have ever seen. This morning I threw a hand full in my protein shake and WOW! I almost felt guilty because something that good couldn’t be healthy! It was a great way to start the day.
Blackberry Power Shake
3/4 c. Skim Milk
1/2 c. Activia Vanilla Yogurt
1 scoop Vanilla Protein Powder
1/2 c. Blackberries
Calories: 287 / Fat: 4 g. / Carbs: 48 g. / Protein: 18 g
