Shakeology

I can't believe it's taken me this long to post about Shakeology but it's better late than never. I was turned onto the 70 ingredient drink by my friend Kristy Hatton.

Kristy is a BeachBody coach. BeachBody is the company that brought you the P90X fitness program and many others. When Kristy learned that I had been looking for more creative ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle she enthusiastically recommended Shakeology.

Check out the ingredients!

Antioxidants: acai, acerola, camu-camu, bilberry, goji, grape seed, green tea, maca root, and pomegranate.

Antioxidants reduce oxidative damage done by free radicals on the body which can increase degenerative changes on the body.  Free radicals can accelerate one’s risk for heart disease, dementia, arthritis, and high blood pressure.

Amino Acids and Proteins: amaranth, camu-camu, goji, sacha inchi, quinoa, and whey protein.

Proteins and amino acids aid your body in building muscle and recovering from the effects of exercise.  They also strengthen hair and skin, while aiding in optimal brain function through increased clarity and focus.  These ingredients have been proven to improve mood and reduce cravings by leaving you feeling “full”.

Phytonutrients:  barley grass, blue-green algae, chlorella, flax, grape seed, chia seed, hydrilla, spinach, spirulina, wheat grass, and sprouted quinoa.

Phytonutrients slow the aging process in the human body, increase immunity, aid in ridding the body of toxins, and have positive alkalizing properties (helping to balance out any acidity within the body).

Adaptogens:  ashwagandha, astragalus, cordyceps, holy basil leaf, maca root, reishi mushroom, suma root, and schisandra.

Adaptogens are derived from plants and aid the body in its ability to recover and protect from stress. Adaptogens help to balance endocrine hormones and aid in increasing the body’s immunity system.

Prebiotics:  pea fiber, and yacon root.

Prebiotics are essential for intestinal health due to their stimulation of healthy bacteria necessary for enhanced digestion.

Digestive Enzymes: amylase, bromelain, cellulose, lactase, lipase, papain, and protease.

Digestive enzymes aid in the ability of the body to absorb nutrients by helping to break them down into smaller, more soluble pieces.

Shakeology is loaded with vitamins and minerals:

Vitamin c (180mg) 300%
Vitamin d(200 iu) 50%
Vitamin E 15iu 50%
Vitamin K1 40 mcg 50%
Vitamin B1 1.5 mg 100%
B2 1.3 mg 77%
B3 5mg 25%
B6 2mg 100%
B12 6mcg 100%
Folic acid 200 mcg 50%
Biotin 90mcg 30%
Pantothenic acid 5mg 50%
Calcium 500mg 50%
Iron 4.5 mg 25%
Phosphorous 250mg 25%
Iodine 52mcg 35%
Magnesium 80 mg 20%
Zinc 6mg 40%
Copper .8mg 40%
Manganese 2mg 100%
Chromium 60mcg 50%
Molybdenum 30mcg 40%

I was very impressed with the ingredients and Kristy continued to rave about how the drink filled her up and kept her going. Shakeology is meant to be used as a meal replacement and I drink it in the morning on my way to work.

Before I had committed to buying a 30 day supply of the Shakeology powder, Kristy had given me some samples. I tried both the Chocolate flavor and the Berry flavor. I preferred the chocolate. When I drank it it tasted horrible! I had to choke it down and even did a little shiver as I was doing so.

I brought up this concern with Kristy and she informed me that the Shakeology website provides simple recipes to make the shake taste better.I tried some recipes and they completely change the flavor of the drink! I was impressed how simple it was to make the drink tolerable.

All the recipes are very simple and they do not alter the drink's potency. The recipe I prefer is called the "Choco Loco". 

1/2 banana
1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup nonfat soy, rice, or almond milk
Ice to taste

I use almond milk and do not use ice. I make it the night before and put it in the fridge until the morning. Works just dandy.

Now, I'll be quite honest here. Shakeology doesn't make me feel full of pep. I think it has this effect on some people but not me. This fact however does not discourage me. For instance, I eat veggies and take supplements but neither make me feel any different. I simply know that these things are good for me so I consume them.

I'll continue my pesky honest streak as I confess that this product is expensive. All together with shipping and handling it is $116 for one bag. One bag equates to 30 days of shake powder.

I am always skeptical when websites sell health products and claim that their product is superior to anything else. One of the factors that sold me was the fact that my friend Kristy was recommending it to me. I knew she wouldn't push it if she didn't believe in it. She herself drinks it every day and has turned so many of her own family and friends into converts.

Because you all don't know Kristy I think it will be helpful for you all to look at the list of ingredients. This drink is not like Slim Fast or any of those other diet drinks. In fact this is not a diet drink. Although many have lost weight with it, I use it as a way to get in the nutrients I need. 

Breakfast truly is the most important meal of the day and I never ate breakfast. I'm always running out the door in the morning and normally I'd grab coffee and a banana from some place and that would be my "breakfast." Now, I make Shakeology and I can officially say that I've had breakfast. It's a good feeling.

Now to give Kristy Hatton a little plug. Kristy and myself live in the San Pedro, CA area. If you are not near by you can still learn about Beach Body and purchase items from her online jewelry store. She can speak about herself better than I can so I am going to copy and paste her self description from her community facebook page.

I'm a bellydancing beekeeper, personal trianer, accessories designer. I believe you can always feel better and life is supposed to be fun!

About me?
I love to Live Fit and Live Green and I want to help other people do the same. The health of our own bodies, and the health of our communities is something I am really passionate about.

I help people change their bodies and their lives both physically and financially, all through fitness.

...I am certified Group Fitness Instructor, Personal trainer, and Beach Body coach. I love giving free fitness and nutritional advice, so if you have a question please let me know.

More and more I am trying to become self sustaining. Right now this means learning how to grow my own food. I've got a bee hive on my flat top roof. They have a wonderful view of the ocean! Soon I hope to generate my own electricity (though I haven't decided yet how best to do this). I collect rainwater in storage bins and haul it around in watering cans. Ive got the space to do it and I believe it is the right thing to do. Its the environmentally responsible thing to do. The cost of food is going to continue to rise while the nutrition continues to fall. I'm doing what I can to get out of that loop.

I am also a creator. I love to work with my hands. I make everything that is on www.Liquid-Nymph.com . I also make most of my own bellydance costumes, and costumes for BurningMan. Once upon a time I was a tight-lacer and corset maker. You might see them pop up from time to time on my Etsy tab. They are classic and simple and designed for 24/7 wear. Elegance and durability.

Anyway, that's a little about me =) Tell me about you!

 

To learn more about Kristy Hatton visit her facebook page here.

Visit her her BeachBody page here.

Visit her Liquid-Nymph etsy page here.