Shakeology Sample Packs!!

SHAKEOLOGY: A great way to start your day!

Everyone knows abs are made in the kitchen & you can't out-train a bad diet. But did you know that it's way more about nutrients than it is about calories? Your body craves NUTRIENTS...not calories. So that's why making sure your body is nutritionally satisfied is CRITICAL to weight loss, weight maintenance, increasing lean muscle & just being healthy in general. 

Enter Shakeology - your daily dose of dense nutrition that thankfully either tastes like a chocolate/vanilla milkshake or fruit smoothie (depending on which flavor you choose!). This is NTO just a meal replacement shake - this tasty shake contains all of the NUTRIENTS your body craves. It's not a gimmick - no crazy fat burners or chemicals. It helps you lose weight simply because it's so nutrient dense that you feel full on less. Because of how great Shakeology makes me FEEL, I would drink it even if it tasted like mud. It's just a bonus that it tastes so good! 

Plus, here's the reality of the world we live in - Because of the yucky stuff we put into our air and our soil, whole foods today don't have the nutrients they used to. In fact, an apple today has just 25% of the nutrients that it had 100 years ago. How sad is that?! So it's impossible for our bodies to get all of the nutrients we need without supplementation. Shakeology takes all of the guess work out and gives our bodies exactly what it needs for optimal function.

If you've ever wanted to sample Shakeology, now is the time to do so! Sample packets are available for $19.95 and include 2 Chocolate, 1 Vanilla, and 1 Greenberry packet.

CLICK HERE to Order Your Sample Pack Today!

Why Superfoods?

The term superfood is thrown around to describe a host of foods - but what is a superfood really? How do I know if a food meets the criteria for a superfood?  The answer: there's actually no legal definition of a superfood. 

If you Google superfood, the first definition you see is "a nutrient-rich food considered to be especially beneficial for health and well-being." Additionally, the Macmillan dictionary defines superfoods as those that are "considered to be beneficial to your health and that may even help some medical conditions." Superfoods are often known to have high amounts of phytochemicals (chemicals that may have biological significance, for example antioxidants, but are not established as essential nutrients). These phytochemicals are usually found in the coloring agent of whole foods, such as fruits and vegetables. In fact, just about every brightly colored fruit and vegetable fits the category of a superfood, as do nuts, beans, seeds and aromatic and brightly colored herbs and spices. 

 

So what are some superfoods you should add to your diet? Here's a quick rundown of a few of my favorites:

1 - Tomatoes: They contain high amounts of potassium, fiber, and vitamin C, as well as lycopene, an antioxidant rarely found in other foods, which could protect the skin against harmful UV rays, prevent certain cancers, and lower cholesterol.

2 - Pumpkin: Carotenoids, which lower the risk of cancer and lower the rate of heart disease, set pumpkin apart. It's also high in fiber and packs an abundance of disease-fighting nutrients, including potassium, pantothenic acid, magnesium, and vitamins C and E.

3 - Avocados: This creamy fruit is packed with fiber and protein. It also contains oleic acid, a compound in its healthy monounsaturated fat, may trigger your body to actually quiet hunger.

4 - Black beans: These are full of heart-healthy fiber, antioxidants, and energy-boosting iron. Additionally, one cup of black beans packs 15 grams of protein and none of the artery-clogging saturated fat found in some meats.

5 - Blueberries: Known for their anti-aging benefits, these berries are full of phytonutrients that neutralize free radicals (agents that cause aging and cell damage). The antioxidants in these berries may also protect against cancer and reduce the effects of age-related conditions such as Alzheimer's disease or dementia.

6 - Broccoli: This cruciferous vegetable contains phytonutrients that may suppress the growth of tumors and reduce cancer risk. One cup will supply you with your daily dose of immunity-boosting vitamin C and a large percentage of folic acid.

7 - Oats: They contain a special type of fiber that helps to lower cholesterol and prevent heart disease. Additionally, they are a rich source of magnesium which works to regulate blood-sugar levels and may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.

8 - Salmon: This delicious fish is a rich source of selenium, which helps prevent cell damage, and several B vitamins. It also contains omega-3 fatty acids, which the body cannot produce by itself. These fatty acids reduce inflammation, improve circulation, increase the ratio of good to bad cholesterol, and may slash cancer risk. 

9 - Kale: These leaves contain a type of phytonutrient that appears to lessen the occurrence of a wide variety of cancers, including breast and ovarian. It is believed that the phytonutrients in kale trigger the liver to produce enzymes that neutralize potentially cancer-causing substances.

10 - Pears: The skin of just one pear packs 15% of your daily recommended amount of fiber.

11 - Grapefruit: A surprisingly good source of protein. There's a compound in grapefruits that can lower insulin, a fat-storage hormone, and that can lead to weight loss.

12 - Oranges: Just one orange provides almost 100 percent of the vitamin C we need daily. Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant and prevents premature aging by protecting the body from free radicals.

13 - Green Tea: the main superhero here is EGCG, a powerful phytochemical that slows irregular cell growth, which could potentially help prevent the growth of some cancers.

14 - Walnuts: These nuts have particularly high content of alpha-linoleic acid and phytochemicals, especially in their 'skin' both of which, along with fiber and minerals such as calcium, magnesium and potassium, contribute to their healthy effect.

And last but not least... my favorite...
15 - Dark Chocolate: Packed with antioxidants, dark chocolate has also been shown to lower blood pressure... just remember to eat this one in moderation!

 

 

 

 

It's in the Bag: Kamut Grass

 

Kamut grass... If you’re like most people, you’ve probably never heard of Kamut Grass, but you need to know what this amazing ingredient can do for your body.

Benefits:

• Kamut grass is a type of grain, known or it’s sweet and nutty flavor. It is actually a form of wheat, but it contains about significantly more protein than wheat, which makes it especially important for vegans. It also cholesterol-free and contains many vitamins and minerals like folic acid, vitamin A, B-1, B-2, B-6, C and E.

• If you are allergic to wheat, kamut is just right for you! It has been proven to cause little or no allergic reactions in people who are allergic to wheat.

• Anyone who is suffering from digestive issues may benefit by adding kamut to their diet because it has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties that help treat some inflammatory diseases.

• Kamut grass contains anti-aging properties that have been shown to help balance body pH levels & restore aging cells.

• Kamut is also considered a high-energy grain because of its high lipid content. Isn't it awesome what nature can do for our bodies?!

If you're not into eating grass alone, GREAT NEWS! Kamut grass is in the bag...of Shakeology, of course!

You can try Shakeology risk-free with our bottom-of-the-bag guarantee. Get your daily dose of dense nutrition (like kamut grass) with the healthiest meal of the day. :)





 

It’s in the Bag: Quinoa

Time to highlight another awesome superfood you can find in the bag....(the bag of Shakeology that is!) Today's Superfood is one of my favorites; QUINOA! (pronounced "keen-wa").

Many people think that quinoa is a grain, but it’s actually a seed. Quinoa originated in the Andean region of Ecuador and Peru and is now imported from other regions, such as Chile. The seed is very delicate and usually has to be harvested by hand.

Quinoa’s nutrient composition is great! Each seed is high in fiber and contains essential amino acids and good quantities of calcium, phosphorous, and iron. I love it because I know that when I make it for my family, we are getting many nutrients that our bodies need.

Quinoa is a perfect choice for vegans (and those who are lactose intolerant) because of it’s high calcium and protein content (when compared to grains such as rice, millet, and wheat).

Need any more proof that quinoa is super awesome? Try it for yourself and you will feel it's powerful effects!! The best part about quinoa – it’s in the bag! Click here for a complete nutrient profile of Shakeology.

Reminder: Shakeology comes with a "Bottom of the Bag" guarantee. That means if you aren't 100% satisfied, you can mail an empty bag back to Beachbody for a complete refund. So you REALLY don't have anything to lose...except maybe a little weight! Buy your bag here.

It's in the bag: Goji Berry

The Goji berry is an amazing super-food!  Also known as the wolf berry, it is a bright orange-red berry that is native to Asia and southeastern Europe This berry has been eaten for centuries, but has become really popular in the last decade or so because of its nutrient value and antioxidant content. 

Goji berries are grown on vines and have a distinctive flavor resembling a combination of cherries and cranberries. These berries pack a nutritional punch! They are a great source of Vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C, and E. In fact, they have 500 times more vitamin C per ounce than organges.

Goji berries also contain 18 amino acids and 21 trace minerals (including zinc, copper, iron, and calcium). They are a great source of antioxidants, and have been found to boost immune function, protect vision, prevent heart disease, and they even have anti-aging benefits!

So, how can you consume the Goji Berry and where can you find it? Well, it is an ingredient in Shakeology so that is my main source, but you can buy the berries whole or dried (they look kind of like red raisins) and use them in soups, sauces, and salads. 

You can try Shakeology risk-free with our bottom-of-the-bag guarantee. Get your daily dose of dense nutrition (like goji berries) with the healthiest meal of the day. :)

It's in the Bag: Yacon Root

 

Each Wednesday, I’ll be posting about a different super-food… my first spotlight: The Yacon Root.

 

Most people probably haven’t heard of this root before.  The yacon root is native to the lower Andean region of Columbia, Ecuador, and Peru.  This root is best known for it’s crisp, sweet-tasting flavor and is also one of the KEY prebiotic ingredients in Shakeology - hence the title of this blog series...it's in the bag!

What is a prebiotic?

Prebiotics are non-digestible food ingredients that stimulate the growth and/or activity of good bacteria (probiotics) in the digestive system.

Why do you need a prebiotic?

Prebiotics help maintain good intestinal health and digestion. They help to increase your body’s ability to extract nutrients from the food you eat. So first and foremost, your body is getting more of the nutrients it needs.  As an added bonus, if your body can absorb more nutrients from nutritious food, you may feel less hungry and won't be tempted to eat as much, which helps with weight loss!

The yacon root is known for its natural sweetness and is used as a syrupy sweetener.  It contains more than 50% fructooligosacharides (or FOS), a super-long word that means “a type of sugar that the stomach doesn't easily digest” – which means that it settles into the intestine and aids in digestion. This is great for diabetics because it does not spike blood sugar levels.

A few other Yacon Root facts:

- It has antioxidant properties that help fight free radicals in your body (fighting aging and disease)
- It promotes the elimination of toxins (good for kidneys)
- It has the highest concentration of prebiotics of any plant in the world
- It may help to reduce cholesterol levels
- It helps support a strong immune system

You can buy yacon root online, but you can also get it in your bag of Shakeology wrapped up in chocolaty, greenberry or tropical strawberry goodness! Click here for a complete nutrient profile of Shakeology.

Reminder: Shakeology comes with a "Bottom of the Bag" guarantee. That means if you aren't 100% satisfied, you can mail an empty bag back to Beachbody for a complete refund. So you REALLY don't have anything to lose...except maybe a little weight! Buy your bag here!