{Product Review}: Calnaturale Svelte

CalNaturale Svelte sent me a sample of their flavors to try. These protein drinks each contain 16g of organic protein, a low glycemic index and only 9g sugar per bottle.  They are dairy and gluten free and are a great source of fiber; 8g of dietary fiber per bottle.

Flavors: (descriptions provided by Calnaturale)

Chocolate: The creamy, velvety flavor of our Chocolate reminds us of a chocolate milk shake – – but without all the fat, sugar or calories. Instead, we create our Chocolate with pure organic cocoa, fresh organic soymilk, organic complex carbohydrates such as rice syrup and inulin and just a hint (only 9 grams) of organic sugar. When a creamy chocolate flavor comes with such healthy nutrition, it makes you wonder why other chocolate drinks aren’t made this way.

French Vanilla: Someone recently told us that the flavor of our French Vanilla tastes like yummy melted vanilla ice cream. Gosh, we can’t think of a better compliment! You’ll love the flowery bouquet of pure organic vanilla, mixed in a blend with fresh organic soymilk, complex carbohydrates such as rice syrup and inulin and just a hint (9 grams) of organic sugar. The fragrant flavor of vanilla never had it so good.

Cappuccino: Many people love fancy coffee drinks from the coffee shops, but the excess sugar, fat and calories added to those coffee beverages will send folks running for the exits. As an alternative, we offer the rich flavor of our Cappuccino, with a complex, indulgent coffee taste that seems impossible for such a nutritionally-stellar product. But delicious flavor speaks for itself, and we’re sure you’ll love our Cappuccino.

Spiced Chai: One of the gifts of South Asia to the beverage world is the savory, exciting taste of chai. We’re so delighted that this beverage is catching on here in America that we created our Spiced Chai flavor. Our Chai has an irresistible aroma and a blend of organic black tea and organic South Asian spices. Plus, with complex carbohydrates for sustained energy, protein and fiber, our Chai has a nutritional excellence that any lover of world cuisine will find delightful.

My thoughts:

Pros:

  • Low Sugar
  • High Fiber
  • Vegan
  • Yummy flavors
  • Great quick breakfast on the go or a snack before or after a workout

Cons:

  • I found the french vanilla to be too sweet for me, however I am overly sensitive to sweet flavors.

My rating of flavor from my favorite to least favorite:

  1. Chai
  2. Cappuccino
  3. Chocolate
  4. French Vanilla
Overall I found these beverages to be tasty and I love that unlike other energy protein drinks they are low in sugar and I can name all of the ingredients.  I don’t think that these will be my go to drinks for energy as I prefer to make my own energy-protein smoothies but these are good on the run.
Stay tuned for a Calnaturale Wine review in January once my holiday detox is over. 

{Guest Post} Fitness Friday: 30 Days of Yoga

Feeling the Benefits of a Daily Yoga Practice

Hi everyone, I hope you had a fabulous Thanksgiving! I’m Erin, the blogger over at Creative Soul in Motion! I am so excited to be guest posting for Cook. Vegan. Lover. and chatting with all of you about my wonderful experience with the 30 Days of Yoga Challenge.

I started practicing yoga a few years ago. At the time I was drowning in work and so stressed I was having problems sleeping and focusing. After months of literally holding my breath I started looking for ways to open up and breathe deeper. That’s when I found yoga.

Since then yoga has become part of my life, part of my entire being.

Even though I’ve been practicing for a few years now I have never had a daily practice. It’s always been a 3 – 4 day a week routine that came and went depending on my schedule and my mood that day. Having a bad day? Do yoga! Have time to make it to class? Great. But it’s never been something I’ve dedicated time to every single day. Until Lindsay posted the 30 Day Yoga Challenge.

At first when I read about the challenge I thought, “Oh, I don’t need to do that. I practice yoga already.” A few days later though the idea of signing up for the challenge called to me and I honestly figured there was no harm. I mean, I already signed up for the National Novel Writing Month for November which means I need to write 50,000 words in 30 days so why not balance it out by promising myself to dedicate 10 minutes to yoga everyday?

It seemed like a good plan: 2,000 words a day + 10 mins of yoga = a happy stress-free Erin!

For the last 24 days I have been writing like a crazy woman but finding peace and relaxation through my 10 minute yoga practice. Honestly, 10 minutes is the perfect amount of yoga for me – it’s enough time to get through a few sun salutations, focus on my breath and feel the stress and frustrations melt away.

Dedicating myself to at least 10 minutes of yoga everyday has…

Helped me find a new source of strength within myself

Given me the ability to slow down and focus on my breath

Helped me improve many of my poses and learn some new ones

Shown me how a daily practice can help me feel more calm throughout the day

Improved my general mood and attitude throughout the whole day

Led me to discover a new way of thinking about my day and schedule

Reminds me that I don’t have to rush around and life is better when you slow down

Now it’s Day 25 and I have to say that I’m SO happy I signed up for the challenge. It’s helped me adopt a daily yoga practice that makes my day so much better. I breathe easier and deeper, feel happier and calmer and live a more mindful life. And all it takes is 10 minutes (but more can be better).

So thank you Lindsay for providing me with the inspiration I needed to adopt a daily yoga practice!

And if you’d like to read more about my yoga practice and attempts at self-improvement come on over to my blog Creative Soul in Motion and say hello!

Please Excuse My Absence

As you read last week there are some big changes coming to CVL so over the next few days I am focusing all of my time on making sure the transition goes smoothly and we will be on track for a December 1st launch.  In addition to the big changes at CVL don’t forget 12 Days of Giveaways starts on December 1st as well!

 

12 Days of Giveaways

The holidays are just around the corner and that means spending time with friends, family and eating way too much! This is my third annual 12 Days of Giveaways and  this year I will be starting December 1st.  A number of great companies that I love have generously decided  to participate in spreading the holiday cheer and I will also be providing a few of the giveaway items myself. There will be a giveaway everyday for 12 day, so keep your eyes peeled for great giveaways you could win this holiday season.

Once a giveaway is posted you will have around 24 hours to enter.  All winners will be chosen using the Random Integer Generator.  Make sure to check back frequently for new giveaways!

Happy Holidays!

 

 

30 Days of Yoga Guest Post

Stress Less in Triangle

by Laura Kallen
www.laurakallen.com

It’s no secret that yoga is good for you for so many reasons. Research has shown that yoga can help manage stress, tension, anxiety, blood pressure, back pain, depression and fatigue. A consistent yoga practice can help to support the immune system and improve circulation, not to mention improving muscle tone, flexibility, balance and strength. And then there’s the good stuff– the sense of well being and chilled out vibe we create for ourselves.

Trikonasana or Triangle pose is a posture when expressed thoughtfully and fully will stretch and open the hips, groin, hamstrings, calves, shoulders, chest and spine while strengthening the obliques, waist, thighs, knees and ankles. Triangle can reduce stress, anxiety, improve digestion and can alleviate back, neck and sciatica pain.

Source

Here’s how to align yourself properly:

Start with your heels in alignment and step your left foot back roughly 3 feet, turning it out slightly. Feet should be close enough together to be able to straighten both legs. Raise your arms parallel to the floor and lengthen them out to the sides at shoulder height, actively reaching hands away from one another. Elongate up from the base of the spine through the crown of your head. Firm up the thighs. Exhaling, extend your torso forward over the right leg, hinging from the hip. Ground this movement by strengthening the back leg and pressing your heel into the floor. Bending from the hip joint bringing the right hand inside the right leg. Your right hand can either be on the floor or resting on the shin. Lengthen the tailbone toward the back heel, draw the shoulders away from the ears and look up, ahead or down, whatever feels best on your the neck at the time.

Try to stay in triangle for 30 seconds to 1 minute, being observant of your mind, body and breath. Do your best to stay in the moment and keep your mind in the present. Inhale to come up, firmly pressing the back heel into the floor and reaching the left arm toward the ceiling. Reverse the feet and repeat for the same length of time on the other side.

BIO
Laura Kallen has completed a nationally recognized 200-hour registered yoga teacher training and to date has taught over 3,000 hours of yoga. Through her yoga practice, Laura became even more in tune with her body and noticed how her nutrition played an integral role in her energy level, her mood, happiness and her overall sense of balance and well-being. She is a certified health coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and helps provide individuals with support and the tools they need to help create more life balance, better health and a higher level of self-care.

As a yoga instructor and health counselor, Laura’s mission is to empower her clients to achieve their health and life goals so that they can reach their optimum potential and be their best selves.

Laura Kallen is the founder of Creative Wellness Products and her innovative DVD Balanced Yoga with Laura Kallen was released in 2009 to rave reviews. She offers weekly classes in the New York Metropolitan area. For more information or to contact please go to www.laurakallen.com