Vejo: Pod-Based Blender for Smoothies & More

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Well guys, we are back with a Friday Favorites post after a very long hiatus! (or should I say quarantine) 😜

Today I’m sharing something that’s very new, and I hadn’t heard of it until the team reached out to me. However, I was instantly intrigued and HAD to try it!

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The company is called Vejo.

In super short summary, it’s a pod-based blender.

Think k-cups meet smoothies, and it all blends itself together in 30-seconds flat.

If you’re not a fan of smoothies, don’t worry. There are plenty of other pod options, too!

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Here’s a graphic of what the blender looks like.

In this blender is where you place the pod, blend the drink, and then drink it!

All-in-one, portable, and wireless.

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Here’s a quick video to show you how Vejo works.

It really is this easy!

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So what kinds of things can Vejo make?

This list is not all inclusive, but some of the pods you can get include:

• Fruit smoothies

  • Strawberry Banana, Tropical, Mixed Berry, Tart Berry

• Green smoothies

  • Clean Greens, Piña Greens

• Protein smoothies (plant-based)

  • Spiced Chocolate, Banana Almond

• Cold brew coffee

• Matcha latte

• Pre-workout and Post-workout

• Stress, immunity, & sleep blends

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Here’s detailed info on a few of my favorite pods:

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You can also use the smoothies to make things like chia seed pudding, overnight oats, and my favorite… popsicles!

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Are you as intrigued as i was?

if you are, you’ll want to Get yourself a Starter Pack ASAP!

This kit will include your Vejo blender and 8 smoothie pods. There are nine different color blenders to choose from, so whether you prefer neutrals or neon, there’s one for you 🙂

I recommend the “Bestsellers” pack shown here.

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Then, use the code KYLA8PACK for a FREE 8-pack of your choice with your starter kit.

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If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to email me or DM me on Instagram!

You won’t regret it 😉

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Creation Nation - Protein and Energy Bar Mixes

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Today’s Friday Favorite is a bit of a follow-up to my last post: Protein & Snack Bars

Today i’m sharing the freshest, most customizable, adaptable protein // snack bar of them all…

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creation nation…

…made the world’s first protein bar mixes ever back in 2014. I first tried them about 1-2 years ago, and I’ve been obsessed ever since!

I also want to note that this post is NOT sponsored— it is my honest opinion!

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A few of the reasons I love Creation Nation:

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1.The mixes are delicious. End of story.

2. You control the level of sweetness.

• The “recipe” on the mix has an option for “sweet”, “original”, or “sweet-less”. So, you decide how much sugar you want to put in. Here’s what the recipes look like:

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3. They’re super customizable.

• Not only can you control the sweetness level and what combination recipe you use (see above), but you can add extra goodies in if you really want to! Each mix has a “fun” recipe on the bag in addition to the original. Here’s an example:

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4. The mixes are suitable for multiple diets.

• There are gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free and soy-free options. Their flavor mixes (with the cutest names) include:

  • Vegan Energy Bite - Oat Yes! Chocolate Chip

  • Vegan Protein Bar - Peas Love & Cocoa

  • Vegan Protein Bar - PB & Jelly Get in My Belly

  • Keto Protein Bar - Whey Hip Chocolate Chip

  • Keto Paleo Energy Bite - Cocoa for Coconuts

5. They’re more eco-friendly with a reusable pouch and no individual wrappers.

6. they’re made with real ingredients, full of healthy fats, protein, and fiber!

• Here’s a few of the packages to click through.

Vegan Protein Bar Mix

Keto Paleo Energy Bite Mix

Vegan Energy Bite Mix

Keto Protein Bar Mix

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Here’s a comparison from Creation Nation’s website.

(I think they’re comparing to a bar that made my favorites list in the last post) 🤭

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If you’re thinking that you don’t want to spend time making your own bars or bites, hold your horses for a hot second.

To make one pack (8 bars or 24 bites), it legitimately takes five minutes. That’s 37.5 seconds per bar. Plus, you make them all at once, and you’re set for a couple days! It’s a lot faster than making a smoothie or post-workout shake, that’s for sure.

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If you ask me to pick a favorite mix… I can’t!

Try any of them and you won’t be disappointed.

Here’s a few shots of I’ve taken of these yummy mixes:

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To find Creation Nation in a store near you, click here for their store locator.

If you’re like me and don’t live in a state that sells any mixes, you can shop online.

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Protein & Snack Bars

updated 10/29/20

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I don’t know about you, but the protein/granola bar section of the grocery store (and the market in general) can be very overwhelming. I feel like there’s a new kind of bar, a new company, or a new flavor of bar every darn day. I’ve honestly tried almost every bar out there (maybe not every flavor, but the kind of bar), and I’ve narrowed down my favorites.

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This really was not easy. There are things I like and don’t necessarily love about each bar (usually), but all things considered, there is one bar that stands above the rest. Read on to find out what it is, as well as what others I felt are worthy of sharing.

There is also a list at the end of bars that didn’t make my rankings, in case you’re wondering for comparison.

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The winner…

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Larabar

Tastes like: Strongly depends on the flavor, but they all taste very much like the flavor listed on the package. They’re perfectly sweet, in my opinion.

Texture: Soft and chewy, but not chewy in a bad way!

Made with: Dates, nuts, and occasionally fruit and/or spices.

Nutrition: Around 200 calories with 9 grams of fat and 15-20 grams of sugar (0 added). The new protein line has about 10 grams of protein as well.

Favorite flavors: Mint chip brownie, cashew cookie, and all the new protein bars!

Where to buy: Larabars are very accessible. They’re sold in most grocery stores, as well as on their website and on Amazon. Click here for their store locator.

Special notes: These are perfect on-the-go because the taste and texture aren’t affected by heat or being smashed in a purse. There are also TONS of flavors!

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4 Runners-up…

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Perfect Bar

Tastes like: A legitimate block of nut butter.

Texture: Super soft and melt in your mouth!

Made with: Nuts, obviously! There’s over 20 superfoods in each bar, and they’re sweetened with honey or dates (vegan options available).

Nutrition: Average around 300 calories with 10-20 grams of fat, 10-15 grams of protein, and about 15 grams of sugar from the honey.

Favorite flavors: Dark chocolate peanut butter, coconut peanut butter, and trail mix!

Where to buy: Perfect Bars are sold on their website, on Amazon, and in most grocery stores! Click here for their store locator.

Special notes: These are stored/sold in the fridge, but they’re good for up to a week at room temperature!

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Orgain

Tastes like: Raw cookie dough. If you know me, you know I’m obsessed with raw cookie dough 🙃

Texture: Soft and the slightest bit chewy with giant chocolate chips throughout.

Made with: Mainly made from a blend of pea protein and brown rice protein, along with tapioca syrup, a small amount of erythritol (sugar alcohol), nuts, and chocolate.

Nutrition: 150 calories, 10 grams of protein, 5 grams of sugar, and 3 grams of erythritol.

Favorite flavor: S’mores.

Where to buy: Orgain bars are sold on their website, on Amazon, and they can be found in select grocery and supplement stores. Click here for their store locator.

Special notes: The above notes are discussing the “Organic Protein Bars” line, but I do like the “simple” protein bars as well!

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Hope Bars

Tastes like: A rice krispy treat that actually has flavor, and it’s perfectly sweet and rich!

Texture: A soft rice krispy treat.

Made with: Quinoa and millet puffs, nuts, hemp seeds, and brown rice syrup.

Nutrition: About 160 calories, 7 grams of fat, 6 grams of protein, and 7 grams of sugar. They feel bigger than that!

Favorite flavor: Peanut butter chocolate.

Where to buy: Find Hope Bars for sale on their website.

Special notes: These bars are truly UNIQUE. It’s different than the other 8 million bars on the market. I love supporting this small company, too!

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R Bar

Tastes like: Very similar to a Larabar!

Texture: A soft chewiness, again like a Larabar.

Made with: Nuts, dates, dried fruit. Always 7 ingredients or less.

Nutrition: Usually just under 200 calories. About 9 grams of fat, 3 grams of fiber, and 4 grams of protein.

Favorite flavor: Lemon Poppyseed and Chocolate Peanut Butter. Also the Honey Nut protein bar!

Where to buy: You can get them on their website.

Special notes: I love a simple bar, and these bars deliver big time in the flavor department. Super tasty and naturally sweet!

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Honorable mentions:

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RX Bar

Tastes like: Depends on the flavor, but somewhat similar to Larabars. However, these are much more dense and slightly sweeter.

Texture: Soft (as long as they’re fresh) and very, very chewy with chunks of nuts and/or chocolate throughout.

Made with: Nuts, dates, egg whites, and any necessary fruit and/or chocolate add-ins. “No B.S.” 🙂

Nutrition: About 200 calories, 9 grams of fat, 12 grams of protein, and 13 grams of sugar (0 added).

Favorite flavors: Chocolate sea salt, lemon, and maple sea salt.

Where to buy: RX Bars are sold in most grocery stores, and you can also buy them on their website or on Amazon. Click here for their store locator.

Special notes: There is literally a flavor option for EVERYBODY!

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Gratisfied

Tastes like: It almost tastes like banana bread. It’s not fruity though. It’s slightly sweet and super soft.

Texture: Think banana bread meets Larabar. I can’t even describe it, but it’s GOOD.

Made with: Almond butter, seeds, coconut, and some pea protein.

Nutrition: About 200 calories, 15 grams of healthy fats, 12 grams of protein, and only 2 grams of sugar.

Favorite flavor: I’ve only tried the Empower bar. There is a cacao bar and a vegan version.

Where to buy: Currently these are in stores in select states, or you can get them on their website. Click here for their store locator.

Special Notes: Another small company that I am happy to support 🙂

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Clio

Tastes like: Cheesecake. No joke. With a chocolate coating. SUPER sweet and rich!

Texture: Soft like cheesecake on the inside with a thin chocolate coating that “snaps”.

Made with: Greek yogurt, chocolate, cane sugar, and a little bit of whey protein.

Nutrition: About 140 calories, 7 grams of fat, 8 grams of protein, and 10 grams of sugar.

Favorite flavor: Vanilla.

Where to buy: You can buy these online and in select stores such as Walmart, but they’re not always easy to find. Click here for their store locator.

Special notes: These are also a really unique bar. Since they’re made with greek yogurt, they contain probiotics (gut health). 🤓 I love putting mine in the freezer!

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Kate’s Real Food

Tastes like: A Clif bar, but 20x better. It’s not as dense, and the nut butter flavor is pretty strong.

Texture: Soft! Also dense, but still light. Slightly chewy.

Made with: Oats, honey, nuts, and necessary chocolate, fruit, and/or seeds.

Nutrition: (for entire bar) About 250 calories, 10-12 grams of fat, 8 grams of protein, and 15 grams of sugar.

Favorite flavors: Peanut butter hemp & flax and peanut butter dark chocolate.

Where to buy: These are making their way to stores around the US. You can always find them online though. Click here for their store locator.

Special notes: The wrapper lists these as two servings… but they aren’t 🙃

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Rise Bars

Tastes like: Similar to a Perfect Bar in that the taste resembles a block of nut butter. They’re pretty sweet, and you can taste the honey (in the flavors that use it). Very simple, yet incredible, taste!

Texture: Soft, smooth, and not hard to chew. No chunks of anything.

Made with: Nuts, protein, and honey or coconut nectar to sweeten.

Nutrition: 250-300 calories, 10-15 grams of fat, 15-20 grams of protein, and about 15 grams of sugar.

Favorite flavors: Chocolatey coconut (plant-based) and almond honey (whey).

Where to buy: You can find Rise Bars in many grocery stores, especially more “health focused” ones. You can also get them on their website and on Amazon. Click here for their store locator.

Special notes: I tend to stick with the plant-based flavors. The almond honey bar is WAY good though (and literally just the three ingredients!). Pop these in the microwave for a soft, warm treat!

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Elemental Food

Tastes like: Sweet and nutritious. I’m not sure how else to describe this one 😂 but I love it!

Texture: They’re soft but super seedy/crumbly, which requires some chewing.

Made with: Buckwheat, nuts and seeds, honey, and flavor additions. They are FULL of nutrients!

Nutrition: About 220 calories, 15 grams of fat, 6 grams of protein, and 8 grams of sugar.

Favorite flavors: I love all four of the original flavors equally. I haven’t tried the newest flavors!

Where to buy: These are sold in very select stores, such as Natural Grocers. Your best chance to find them is in California. You can also buy them on their website. Click here for their store locator.

Special notes: Store these in the fridge to keep them fresh. They’re good one week on-the-go!

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What didn’t make the list?

For reference, some of the bars I’ve tried that did not make the list include:

GoMacro, Health Warrior, Quest, ONE bars, Clif, Ancient Nutrition, Olly, Bulletproof, Costco protein bars, KIND, FitJoy, 88 Acres, Powercrunch, Exo, Hemplete, Square bars, NuGo, Pure Protein, Detour, FitCrunch, Primal Kitchen, Farm & Oven, Epic, Garden of Life, Autumn’s Gold, Oatmega, Luna, Think Thin, Eat Your Coffee, No Cow, Nuzest, Z-bars, Kodiak Cakes crunchy bars Bella Bars, and some of the more common name brands such as Nature Valley, Quaker, and NutriGrain.

This doesn’t necessarily mean I DON’T like those bars, but for various reasons, I prefer the ones above.

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If there’s any bars you love that weren’t on this list, leave a comment below and let me know! I’d love to know your favorites, too 🙂

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Banza

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So before I say ANYTHING… let me set one thing straight:

Real pasta is GOOD.

SO good.

And it’s not bad for you.

But I love Banza pasta too, and I eat all the things I love! :)

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Now that we’re clear…

If you’ve never heard of it, Banza is pasta made from chickpeas. This means that is has less carbohydrates and more protein and fiber than traditional pasta. It’s not necessarily “low carb”, because chickpeas are still a carbohydrate source, but the carbohydrates that it does contain and complex and high in fiber.

Personally, I don’t find the taste of Banza to be all that different than traditional pasta; I’m pretty obsessed with chickpeas in any form (did somebody say hummus?!), but I don’t think that’s a flavor present in the pasta. The only difference I find is while cooking; white foam tends to accumulate above the boiling water. This is what happens when you cook chickpeas themselves, so it’s not weird or anything to worry about.

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Along with the chickpeas that make up over 90% of the pasta, the ingredients in Banza include tapioca, pea protein, and xanthan gum. According to Banza, these ingredients help to add volume to the pasta and bind the chickpea flour together as somewhat of a vegan egg replacement, since the pasta is vegan. 

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They make all the different shapes and styles of pasta you could ever think of too:

• Rigatoni

• Penne

• Spaghetti

• Linguini

• Shells

• Elbows

• Wheels

• Ziti

• Cavatappi

• Wheels

• Rotini

• Angel hair

And they’ve recently released a line of mac & cheese too!

These aren’t vegan, but they are delicious:

• Elbows & classic cheddar

• Elbows & white cheddar

• Shells & classic cheddar

• Shells & white cheddar

• Cacio e pepe (my favorite!)

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Here are the nutrition facts and ingredient labels from a box of pasta and a box of mac & cheese:

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I’ve made so many different types of pasta, bowls, mac & cheese, and flavor combinations with Banza. If you’re looking for recipes to try, check out the Banza website for tons of ideas! I have one recipe on my blog as well, with more coming for sure!

cashew cream pasta with roasted artichokes

click here

banza

recipe

gallery

click here

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If you’re looking to buy Banza near you, here’s their store locator: 

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You can also buy it right from their website if you prefer! They also have an FAQ page with answers to any questions you might have.

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If you have any other questions about anything, you’re always welcome to send me a message! (HERE)

If you’ve ever tried Banza pasta, let me know what you thought below! If you haven’t, let me know what you want to make with it first :)

Happy Friday!

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