Browsing Tag

protein bars

Posted on December 1, 2017

Herbalife products: yay or nay?

product review

Herbalife products

If you follow my Instagram story then you would know that I recently embarked on a Herbalife journey. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the brand, Herbalife is an international nutrition brand that provides a number of supplements and products for those looking to live a healthier and balanced life.

I would normally be a bit sceptical of any sort of brand that claims to offer the same – if not similar – nutritional value as whole foods as I would be quite firm on ensuring I get my nutrients from whole and fresh foods. But my sister spent the good part of last year, the year before and the year before that praising Herbalife so when the opportunity came to try a few of their products out it was a no brainer for me to give them a try!

Here are some of the products I’ve been using for the last couple of weeks 🙂

CR7 Drive

Herbalife CR7 Drive

Herbalife CR7 Drive

This product ranked quite high in my echelon of Herbalife faves – and it’s not because it was created by Cristiano Ronaldo! In fact, that had very little bearing on why took a liking towards it. The CR7 Drive is made of a light- tasting formula that enhances hydration during exercise and increases the performance of a workout.

One scoop of this product has  about 50 calories when mixed with 500ml water and has an incredibly refreshing taste. I take sips of this during my work out in place of just normal water and it always helps me excel during my workout and work up a good sweat.

Final Verdict: If it’s good enough for Ronaldo, it’s good enough for me! 🙂

Rate: 5/5

Price: €13.80 for a pack of 10 sachets

F1 Healthy Meal Nutritional Shake

Herbalife F1 Healthy Meal Nutritional Shake

Herbalife F1 Healthy Meal Nutritional Shake

I’ve never been one for meal replacements. It’s not something I would ever advocate for as I enjoy cooking and eating whole foods. So for the last few weeks I’ve been treating this product as a post work-out snack before my official meal or enjoying it as a dessert after my meal. It is incredibly convenient in that regard. Two scoops contain about 220 cals and 18g of protein when mixed with dairy-free milk and it is pretty filling on it’s own.

So while dieters use this best-selling product as a meal replacement to lose weight, I’ve been using this shake to help me get my calories up as I sometimes feel that I don’t eat enough calories during the day for my fitness goals. The vanilla flavour tastes amazing but it comes in about six other flavours too! Best part? It’s free from soya, lactose and gluten!

Final Verdict: It is incredibly filling and creamy to taste when mixed with milk. It does a stellar job at keeping sweet cravings at bay! 🙂

Rate: 5/5

Price: €39.05 for a 550g canister

Herbalife Aloe Concentrate

Herbalife Aloe Concentrate

Herbalife Aloe Concentrate

This product went down an absolute treat in my house – it didn’t even last a full week! For someone who isn’t yet versed at drinking water regularly during the day, this aloe concentrate helped me immensely. Three capsules of this concentrate gives water a citrus taste making it more likely to drink throughout the day.

A glass of this helps sooth the stomach and promotes good intestinal health so it almost works like a shower for your inside! It comes in three flavours – original, mango, mandarin and cranberry. I have yet to try cranberry and mandarin, but I have no doubt they’d create a refreshingly citrus drink too!

Final Verdict: It didn’t last a week in the house – that speaks for itself, really! 🙂

Rate: 1000% yes!

Price: €38.55 for a bottle of 31 servings

Herbalife Tea Concentrate

Herbalife Tea Concentrate

Herbalife Tea Concentrate

This product took some getting used to as I used a little bit too much powder the first time and it was very strong in tasting. That put me off and I literally hid it in the back of the press for weeks I know… But I have tried it again (the right way this time) and found that using the correct measurements make the world of a difference. The peach flavour tastes a bit like ice tea and it helps that this beverage can be consumed hot or cold!

I will start using it more regularly and getting a bit experimental with it to improve the taste as it provides a temporary thermogenic to the body, meaning it helps kick start your metabolism. It also contains caffeine so it can be used as an alternative to regular coffee – if one would dare to keep their energy levels up in a healthier way!

Final Verdict: I probably shouldn’t have give up on this so quickly considering all the benefits it has, fingers crossed I am more consistent with this 🙂

Rating: 3/5

Price: €27.60 for a 50g

Formula 2 Multivitamin Complex

Formula 2 Multivitamin Complex

Formula 2 Multivitamin Complex

As someone who recently started taking Vitamin D supplements, the idea of taking something that looks like medicine on a regular basis is becoming less and less daunting to me.

This product contains about 21 essential nutrients such as folic acid, calcium and iron. It contains antioxidant vitamins C, E and beta carotene which are all good for promoting healthy bones, skin and nails. It is to be taken three times a day with meals which can be a bit of an annoyance at times but I guess it’s just one of those things you have to do 🙂

Final Verdict: Multi-vitamins are a must in any diet, but I prefer taking them once a day!

Rating: 3.5/5

Price: €20.60

Herbalife Protein Bar

Herbalife Protein Bar

Herbalife Protein Bar

I genuinely feel like I need a drumroll for introducing this product – it is beyond heavenly! I literally have to talk myself out of overeating as I can easily devour a few in a day! But since it does have dairy ingredients I have to treat it as a ‘cheat snack,’ and that helps me control myself – well sometimes!

These bars are perfect for whenever I am feeling peckish and don’t want something too heavy. Each bar contains about 10g of protein and 140 calories – ten calories less than your average snack should have. It comes in four flavours and of the ones I’ve tried, the chocolate peanut butter is my favourite! Read more about it here.

Final Verdict: Can’t get enough of this!

Rating: 1000% yes

Price: €19.80 – 14 per box

Overall, my experience with Herbalife was surprisingly pleasant and I will continue to use some of these products in the future! Have you tried any Herbalife products before? If so, would love to know your thoughts! 🙂

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*These products were sent to me for review purposes, however all views remain authentically mine.

 

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Posted on November 28, 2017

5 healthy snack bars for your inner #FitFam

Nutrition

If there is one thing that keeps me happy when I’m out and about, it’s the reassurance that I have nibbles in my handbag. I know, I know…. I am worse than a toddler – just feed me and I’ll be happy! I either make my own healthy treats at home or settle for the next most convenient thing: store-bought snacks a.ka. the lazy way out.

Now I have no doubt that the words store-bought might make some of you dedicated foodies wince. But worry not, I can assure you that not all store-bought snacks are bad, especially when you go by my logic – the less ingredients, the better!

Without further a do, here are some of the snacks I like to keep at handy 🙂

1. Pulsin & Beond Organic Fruit and Nut Bars*

There’s no way these could not have made it to the top of the list – these truly taste heavenly! They’re made with high quality natural ingredients and are vegan friendly – free from gluten, dairy, soya, refined sugars and non GM.

To top that off, they’re cold pressed to give the most nutritional value.

The first of the three flavours I tried was chocolate; it exceeded my expectations because I am not a chocolate fan (unless it’s white) so I wasn’t expecting much. But the mix with peanut butter was just perfect. My favourite flavour was the raspberry and acai, you can just tell it’s made of natural goodness! The blueberry is also mouth-watering, but it is on the sweeter side of things.

If you want something less sweet, go for the chocolate flavour but if you want a perfect balance then go for raspberry and acai, You can buy these fruit and nut bars online and filter by flavour, diet and size – as they come in bigger packages too 🙂

2. Homemade Protein Balls

Protein balls

Protein balls

There isn’t a single person who has tried these no bake protein balls and not liked them – these bite-sized balls are both easy & fun to make. Of course you can choose a protein powder that fits your dietary requirements. But regardless of what protein powder you use, they will taste amazing once you combine it with the other ingredients!

Find the full recipe here 🙂

3. Cashew Crush Bars

The Foodie Market Cashew Crush Bar

The Foodie Market Cashew Crush Bar

The first time I tried one of these bars, I was completely taken aback by how good it tasted – I just wasn’t expecting it at all. Much like anyone other foodie, I had this skewed perception that a cheap “healthy bar” in Aldi wouldn’t taste so good – or be that healthy.

But after trying Cashew Crush and other products from The Foodie Market range in Aldi, I have to say I’ve been proven wrong. Cashew Crush bars are made entirely from cashews and dates and have no preservatives or added sugar. They are not overly chewy or overly sweet – they are just right!

You can buy them in a five pack in Aldi or sepeartely for 89c each 🙂

4. Sesame and Honey Bars

Sesame and honey bars

Sesame and honey bars

I have had similar bars to this & found them to be a little bit too sweet for my liking, so I took it upon myself to start making my own. These sesame and honey bars actually taste better than a lot of the store-bought stuff I have tried in the past – and this isn’t me bragging!

While I used honey in my recipe, I have no doubt that stevia syrup would work for vegans. Have a look at the full recipe here 🙂

5. Herbalife Protein Bars*

Herbalife Protein Bar Vanilla Almond

Vanilla Almond Herbalife Protein Bar

As tasty as they are, I treat these Herbalife protein bars as more of a healthy “cheat” due to some of the ingredients in them. I have quite a restricted diet in general, but every now and again I do like to indulge and have something that I normally wouldn’t consume. These protein bars allow me to indulge while remaining on the slightly healthier side of things.

It does contain dairy protein and other dairy products so it isn’t suitable to vegans or anyone with intolerance to lactose. However, the dairy ingredients help increase lean muscle body mass and contributes to increased metabolic rate.

Most snacks are supposed to have about 150 calories, but one of these bars have 10 calories less than your average snack – always a plus! You can order these online or from a Herbalife member by getting in touch with one in your local area 🙂

What are your go-to pick me ups? I’d love to know! 🙂

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*Products marked with an asterisk were sent to me for review purposes, however all views remain my own.

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Sesame and honey bars

Health/ recipes

sesame and honey bars cover2

I have a terrible habit of eating on the go. For some strange reason, I feel like time passes quicker when I’m chewing! So unless I have some sort of healthy snack prepared with me when out and about, I just end up at a corner shop buying something that makes me feel like I’ve wasted my morning workout –my inner dialogue never stops judging me for it!

My go-to snack have always been my infamous protein bars. But I’ve decided to give peanut butter and nuts in general  a bit of a rest for a change (no pun intended!) and start reintroducing more seeds to my diet.

Sesame seeds are flat little seeds with a nutty taste. You’ve probably come across white ones in baking, but they also come in yellow, black and even red. For this recipe I will be using white sesame seeds and like most of these recipes, there is always room for variety! Once you get the swing of things, you can start adding your favourite nuts and seeds to this recipe.

For now, you will need the following ingredients to make basic sesame and honey bars –

Ingredients:

  • 2 tbsp oil
  • 140g sesame seed
  • 280g honey
  • A pinch of sea salt (optional)

 Directions:

1. Heat up the oil in a saucepan and then add in the honey. Bring to boil before adding the seeds.

sesame 1

2. Throw in the seeds and mix continuously for about 8 minutes or until the mixture begins to thicken and caramelise.

seasam seeds boil

3. Once the seeds begin to change colour, you can remove from the heat and flatten onto a lined baking tray or in this case, greased tin foil.

sesame seeds flattened

4. Cover up and put in the freezer for about an hour. Once it hardens, remove from freezer and break into parts.

sesame seeds honey

Although they are quite hard to break, these bars have quite a chewy texture. They are perfect for conquering sugar cravings without the guilt! If you want to have them for snacking on the go, wrap each bar individually with tin foil!

Hope you get the chance to try this recipe out! These bars are so simple to make and yet so tasty! 🙂

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9 healthy ways to conquer sugar cravings

Not so guilty pleasure

9 ways to conquer

Let’s face it, it’s pretty hard to eat clean 100% of the time. With tempting adverts all over the media and friends and family who practically make it their job to have you drooling all over and wanting a slice of your favourite dessert, you can easily fall off track.

Luckily, you don’t always have to give in to these temptations because like most things, a sugar craving can be conquered with foods and drinks that aren’t so bad for you –in moderation, that is.

While some of these suggestions might not work for everyone, I’ve certainly found one or two of them pretty useful for combating my sugar fix and they tend to get pretty serious in certain times of the month – sorry lads!

1. Bananas
This is my go-to snack when I have a bit of a sweet tooth. Not only are they naturally sweet, but they’re also great for keeping your tummy full and your body energised.

2. Dried fruit
From raisins to prunes and dried apricots and cranberries – there are just so many to choose from.

3. Carrots
Here’s another one of my go-to snacks. I like to have them raw and chunky and the best part about carrots is, they’re ridiculously cheap!

4. Coconut water
It’s naturally sweet, refreshing and a single glass has a lot of health benefits. Have a look here to find out the beauty benefits of this super drink.

coconutwa

5. Protein bars
Instead of reaching for a Snickers bar, head straight to the kitchen and make a few homemade protein bars for yourself. One of my delicious recipes actually does taste like snickers (no joke!).

6. Smoothies
I genuinely feel like you can’t go wrong with homemade smoothies. You decide what you put in it, you decide how much of it you want and YOU decide how much of it you’re going to drink – the ball is in your court.

7. Strawberries, raspberries, cherries…
Need I go on?

8. Aloe vera water
I’ve just been hooked on this stuff for a really long time now. Sometimes I feel like the sweetness of aloe vera water is enough to conquer more than just one sugar craving – it’s nearly enough to keep me going for a few weeks!

9.Just get moving
That’s right, do a bit of exercise and get your blood flowing. The last you want if for all your hard work to go to waste, so the more you exercise, the less you’ll want to give in – it works for me anyways!

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Posted on December 12, 2013

Home-made protein bars

recipes

homemade protein bars

I’m excited to finally have my first recipe up! I know, it’s long overdue, but I guess I’ve just been a bit distracted by all the pretty makeup – you can’t exactly fault me for that, now can you? 🙂

Initially, I planned to have an avocado smoothie recipe up for my first food post, but since there aren’t a lot of avocado fans out there, I’d have to make some alterations to that recipe before sharing it! So for now, you’re getting the next best thing….home-made protein bars!

Last night I uploaded a picture of my protein bars in the making and got a lovely comment saying the mixture looked like poop – nice!

I’ll have you know that it does NOT look like poop, and more importantly, it doesn’t taste like it either! If I’m honest, it’s a lot better than your average protein bar (or chocolate bar for that matter)  especially since you control what you put in it so it’s a lot safer as well.

 homemade protein bars

What you need:

  1. 250g cup of peanut butter
  2.  85g of oats
  3.  300g of honey
  4. 70g cup dried fruit/chocolate chips
  5.  50g chopped hazelnuts (optional)
  6.  2 scoops protein powder

Note: You can throw in your favourite seeds and nuts into this mixture, it all comes down to personal preference!

Get started:

1.Mix the honey and peanut better in a saucepan over a low heat.

2. Add the oats  and mix through.

3. Throw in your dried fruit/chocolate chips with nuts and then keep mixing.

4. Add the protein powder (a lot of mixing I know)

5. Flatten the mixture into a greased tin.

6. Cut through and refrigerate overnight.

Tip: Wrap each bar in tin foil and keep them in the fridge – great way to pack them up and bring to work/college

I used to have one of these after the gym, but now I think it makes for a tasty snack- could even work for breakfast as well.

I’m not trying to get ahead of myself here, but my father, (who absolutely ADORES Snickers) told me my protein bars taste like Snickers – I know right!  I think this recipe will give Snickers a run for their money – in the health world anyways!

Do have a go at it and let me know what you think, but so far, I’ve had nothing but positive feedback on these 🙂

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