When I first be came vegan, I made a promise to myself to not be one of those smoothie-drinking hippie vegans. Guess what? I totally broke that promise (not long after I made the promise in the first place).
Fast forward to now when smoothies are a part of my regular diet. Usually, I'll make my own with a variety of fruits, seeds, nuts, milk and more but if I'm really busy (as I've been of late), I'll rely on a smoothie mix to deliver all of the nutrients I need in one punch. I've tried a number of them, but the Vega mixes have remained one of my favorites. Being that I'm unemployed at the moment, I only occasionally splurge on the Vega mixes because they are a little higher priced (but for that higher price, you do get a much higher quality). However, because of that higher price, I've only tried a couple of their flavors.
When Vega contacted me about reviewing their new smoothie starter kits, I was absolutely delighted. When I received my package and found a few starter packs plus not one, but TWO Vega smoothie to-go cups, I was overjoyed.
The Vega One smoothie series are low glycemic, high-satiety formulas with complete proteins, omega-3 fatty acids, greens, antioxidants, probiotics, and digestive enzymes packed into each serving. With roughly 145 calories and 15 grams of protein per serving, you feel completely satisfied without feeling weighed down. Plus with each serving, you get 50% of your recommended daily intake for most vitamins and minerals. When it comes to smoothie-making, that's pretty hard to top.
In the past I've tried only the Chocolate and the Chai Vanilla, liking the chocolate the best. This starter kit comes with 2 packets of Chocolate, 2 packets of French Vanilla, and 1 Packet of Berry (along with a recipe booklet and a $5 coupon for your next Vega purchase!). Now I've also tried the French Vanilla and the Berry and I have to say the Berry is my new favorite. They all have a slight "protein shake" aftertaste but it's easily masked by adding in other ingredients. I loved pairing the Berry flavor with almond milk and frozen fruit. Another combo I loved was this vanilla pumpkin protein smoothie. Man, oh man, was that good topped with some granola and pomegranate arils! It's the perfect breakfast for a bright sunny day (when a smoothie still sounds great for breakfast) with a crisp cool Fall morning (when sweet and spicy pumpkin is starting to sound more and more appealing).
Ingredients
- 1 packet of Vega One French Vanilla Smoothie Mix
- 1 cup almond milk (or other non-dairy milk)
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 tablespoon of flaxmeal (optional- just adds thickness)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup (optional)
- 2-3 ice cubes
- additional
- granola (optional)
- fruit (optional)
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into glass or bowl. Top with granola and/or fruit, if desired. Enjoy!
Chris and I really tore into and made quite a dent in the Vega Starter Kit shipment we received, but I managed to salvage 1 box to give away to one of you! Just use the box below to enter to win a total of 5 Vega One smoothie packs, a recipe booklet, and a $5 coupon on your next Vega purchase! The giveaway will run until 11:59pm on October 9th, 2013.
Thank you for stopping by and entering! Stay tuned for Monday when I share the recipe for the delicious granola topping the smoothie in these pics!
What is your favorite Vega product?
Disclaimer: I was given Vega products to try but the thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.
Photography by Chris Miller
Alexa
I love their vanilla chai flavor - so good mixed with a frozen banana and vanilla almond milk!
Kira
I like the chocolate Vega One the best! 🙂
Emily - It Comes Naturally
Ooh yay, looking forward to the recipe for the granola. I don't think I can get vega in the UK, but it sounds great!
Beth E.
My favorite Vega product right now is the Vega Sport Recovery Accelerator. Although it has a bit of a chalky taste, it really does help me recover faster. I am interested in the shakes, however.
Caitlin G-H
This looks so yummy. Anything pumpkin is awesome. I really like the Vega chocolate bars hehe
Beth E.
Do you use the nutritional shake as protein powder in recipes, too?
keepinitkind
I haven't tried that, no. Do you?
Beth
No, I wasn't sure if that's what it could be used for.
I will say that this post inspired me to use one of my Vega berry shake mixes at lunch today. I added a banana, the remaining strawberries, ice and rice milk. It wasn't bad, but did not keep me full long.
Kim
I am loving the new Vega One Bars!
Annie
I've not used a lot of Vega products. I tried their chocolate protein shake and I liked it a lot.
Molly
Vanilla Chai!
Laura Thompson
The Vega One Bars.
Rachael
I've never tried Vega before, so I can't wait to!
Gabby
My fav product is the VegaSport vanilla protein powder. I put it in my oatmeal every morning.
Vanessa Burnum
Vega's sport gels. They taste better than most of the others out on the market.
Caitlin
i love the chocolate vega one shake the best. the starter pack sounds awesome!
Christine
The only Vega products I've tried are the bars, so I'm very intrigued by the powder mixes.
saniel
Energizing protein vanilla smoothie pack
Shira
I've tried the Vega powders only a few times...for some reason the one I tried did not agree with my digestive system at all....I think it's time I give it another shot! I'm currently in smoothie heaven after a few months without a blender. I finally got the guts to buy the blender of my dreams and it's smoothie time here everyday too 🙂
TJ
FYI, some people react REALLY badly to the incha sachi nuts that most Vega products contain. (I found this out the hard way, when eating five nuts out of a Vega packet of the nuts themselves led to me throwing up on the sidewalk then hanging out on the floor of a hotel bathroom for a couple hours.) The powders all contain some ground nuts, so I stay away from them.
Angela
Never had a Vega product,looking forward to the granola recipe.
Shannon
I've never tried Vega so I don't have a favorite yet!
Amanda
Vega is my favorite protein powder, but it's definitely a little pricey. I usually order from Vitacost, especially when they're running a promo, and can often find the performance protein powder for less than $50. I usually buy vanilla, but I'm curious to try the chocolate. Also, your smoothie sounds amazing! I've been adding pumpkin to everything lately!
April
I have yet to try any vega products so I don't have a favorite one yet. Hopefully that will change soon!
Stephanie S.
The Vega One Bars are the only product I've ever had, and I love them!!
Kristina
Love the bars.
Aimee Douglass
I love the Vega Energizing Smoothie Mix in Vanilla Almondilla.
paula rothman
the vanilla chai powder with pumpkin!!!!!!!!!
Sara Floyd
I love the chocolate powder
Marilyn
I'm such a huge fan of Vega in general but I tend to stick to the versatile Vanilla.
Michelle
Maca chocolate bars Savi seeds chocolate poweder... to name a few =)
Robin
I love the Chocolate All in One Nutritional Shake
Joanne
Vega Sport Protein has been, hands down, my absolute favorite product of theirs! Can't live/train without it!!
Kristy
I have not yet tried the Vega products, but I would love to try them now. I am most excited to try the Berry flavor smoothie pack.
katherine
chocolate Vega One sounds great
Terri Cole
I haven't tried Vega yet but Vanilla Chai sounds good.
Emma
yum yum yummy! That smoothie looks delish. I've just ordered several cans of pumpkin as it's pretty hard to find (and expensive) around here.
I don't think Vega are in the UK yet but I love what they're doing with the nutrition outreach programme.
Courtney
I would love to win this giveaway so that I can chose a favorite...they are pricy and I haven't tried any yet 🙂
Courtney
Sarah
I love the Oh Natural flavor added to frozen kale, some berries, and banana!!! So good. Perfect amount of sweetness.
Michelle
Love the vega one double chocolate bars! Yum 🙂
Dianne
I haven't seen the Vega products in my stores. I'd love to win and then recommend they be offered for everyone!
Erin
I like their chocolate smoothie packets. =)
Nicole M.
the chocolate almond vega bars!
Jess Corra
That smoothie! I can't get it out of my head! It's 80* here, unseasonable, so I haven't been thinking of pomegranates but now I'm craving. 😀
Jasmine
my fav vega produce is tropical flavor recovery powder! so good and makes me feel energized after a workout!
janet @ the taste space
The Chocolate Vega Sport is my favourite but I wish they would come out with unflavoured varieties
Sarah
My favorite is chocolate vega one!
Richa
I have tried the chocolate.. it takes a long time to blend in. I would love a starter kit to try out the other flavors.
Anna {Herbivore Triathletre}
My favorite is the chocolate. After a workout I will just mix the chocolate Vega and some almond milk. Delicious!
Ashley P
Love the chocolate flavor!
Jordan D
I love the vanilla chai protein powder flavor
Karlie
I am loving the French Vanilla protein powder right now! It was my first vega purchase and I am so very impressed. Would love to try the other flavours!
The Vegan Cookie Fairy
I really wish Vega was available in the UK, everyone seems to like them so much! I'm off to the health food shop today to see if I can find a good flavoured vegan protein powder. I used to have a raw protein powder but the hemp taste was pretty hard to mask...
Emily
i love the chocolate vega one as well!
Julia Potter
I want to try the Vanilla Chai. I have not tried Vega products yet, but; I'm looking forward to trying them soon!
Anthony M.
I haven't tried it yet, but I'm very interested in doing so.
Lina
Even though I have not had the chance to taste Vega products yet, your photos make me want to buy some right now! Beautiful pics and I bet it tastes awesome!!
Nik
I love the chocolate protein powder! I'm a bit boring and always make a choco pb smoothie!
Ani
I love the Vega protein powders! Great for after running.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
The vanilla and chocolate flavors!
Greg
I love the vanilla Vega Sport powder.
grace
I have a very sensitive stomach where diary and gluten consumption will cause WWIII in my stomach. Vanilla and chai shakes are the best post work out shakes for me. Love it!!
zosia
best vega product: chocolate protein powder!
Mara
Vega bars
Chris
I have yet to try any Vega products because of the costs, but I've seen them at health food markets for a long time, and I want to try their Vega One bars.
Alex
I haven't tried any Vega products yet, but I've been dying to try them!
Andrea
I've never tried Vega so I don't have a favorite ... yet.
Beth
I haven't had a chance to try any vega products yet, but the chai sounds wonderful!
Fabulosity
Chocolate Vega 1! Yum!
Renee
French Vanilla & Berry are my favorite Vega flavors. I also like the Mango Smoothie.
Jennifer K
Vega One Shake in Natural is my go-to products
Bobbie {the vegan crew}
I've yet to try any Vega products, but this starter kit sounds like a great place to start! 🙂
Samantha
I love all of their workout products, but my fave is their Raspberry Endurance Gel for long distance runs
Kamaldeep Kaur
Chocolate!!
Betty
I'd like to try the vanilla Chai
Amy
I've never actually tried a Vega product! Now's the time. 🙂
HilLesha
I don't have a favorite....yet.
Hannah S
vega electrolyte hydrator
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl
This smoothie sounds SO good! I am obsessed with their chocolate protein powder and would love to try out the french vanilla flavor!
Jessica
My favorite Vega product is definitely the Vega One. I've been buying it for two years now. It's sugar free, high fiber, high protein, with healthy fats and antioxidants, etc. I need to mask the flavor a little bit with stevia, cocoa powder and fruit, but it ends up tasting AMAZING!
Dalores
I like the Vega chocolate shakes.
Alisa Benedetti
Vega is definitely my favorite protein powder! I love the Vega One, especially the chocolate flavor! I just recently tried their bars too and they are just as fabulous!!
Vashti M
I like their lemon lime pre workout!!
Ashlee
I love the VegaOne nutritional shakes. They mix so easily with almond milk or juice on the go!
Lizzie S
I love french vanilla and vanilla almond!
Jess C
I have not tried Vega yet! ☺
Angela
My fav products are their bars!
Kathy
Vega One!