Tag: ThriveFWD

Gear Review: Vega Sport’s New Sugar-Free Energizer

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I’ve been happily using the Vega Sport Pre-Workout Energizer for the last few months before my runs and rides especially when I know I will need that extra push to get though them. I don’t use as much as they suggest splitting one tube between my three bottles while on a run, but it tastes good and for me works that way.

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Well, last week Vega announced a NEW pre-workout fuel, the  Vega Sport Sugar-Free Energizer which is to be used to boost those “short or low intensity workouts” – think yoga, a short run, or lower intensity exercises. It’s made up of ten “synergistic ingredients” including green tea, yerba mate, and rhodiola and all with only 5 calories (the other energizer has 70 calories). They suggest you take it 20 minutes before your workout in order to enhance your mental focus, boost your endurance, and increase your energy – now who wouldn’t want that!

When I shared it with some of my fit friends their immediate question was to find our what it’s sweetened with – the answer: stevia. So to recap: it has no carbohydrates, no sugars, and only 5 calories and comes in the same two flavours of the original energizer lemon lime and acai berry (acai berry is my favourite).

Which Pre-Workout Fuel Is For You?

If you’re working out for more than 30 minutes at a cardio-based exercise like running, cycling or swimming, you’ll benefit from the functional fuel in the original Vega Sport Pre-Workout Energizers. But if you’re just doing a quick workout — or something more relaxed, like light yoga or walking — you can still benefit from an energy and focus boost so check out the Vega Sport Sugar-Free Energizer.

How do you fuel before a workout? Share it in the comments!

DIY Power Up Protein Balls

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On Sunday I had the pleasure of attending a Vega launch of their new Vega Sport plant-based line of sport fuel. The event was attended by nutritionists and fitness professionals from around Toronto. As you can imagine there was a ton of great food, and lots of great conversation.

One of the speakers was Jessica Morris who is one of Vega’s Educators and she shared this amazing recipe for make it yourself protein balls. After trying them at the seminar, I just knew I had to make them at home. I did, and here is the recipe for you:

Vega Educator Jessica Morris’s  Power Up Protein Balls

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Ingredients:

  • 1 cup large flake oats (gluten free)
  • 2/3 cup Vega sport performance protein – vanilla or chocolate
  • 1/4 cup ground chia or flax seeds
  • 2 tablespoons whole chia seeds
  • 1 bar vega maca chocolate bar chipped
  • 3/4 c almond butter
  • 1/3 c agave nectar or maple syrup
  • 1 tbsp vega antioxidant omega oil
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

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Directions:

  • Combine all ingredients into a large bowl and mix well
  • Round into bite size balls approx 1″
  • Freeze what you don’t eat to enjoy after your next work out or run!

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How It Turned Out:

I didn’t have most of the ingredients, so it was a somewhat costly shopping trip (chia, flax, almond butter oh my!), however now I do, so look forward to making them again – especially for my Iron Man training sister.

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The hardest part (although it isn’t hard) was definitely breaking up the maca chocolate bar – I unwrapped it and put it in a sandwich bag and took a rolling pin to it – it wasn’t hard, but was the most time consuming part.

I’ve also learned that the mystery ingredient in the Vega One bars which I love are the chia seeds. I love post bite when they are stuck in your teeth and grow but still have that crunchy bit (to much information?).

I’ve had three protein balls so far today (post run and yoga) and have stored the rest in my freezer as Jessica had directed. They are totally delicious, so if you’re a DIYer give them a try!

For more information about Vega Sport and their fueling system click here.

For Vega recipes, videos, meal plans, shopping lists, printable reference guides, in-depth articles, and more check out their Thrive Forward Sport Edition program available here!