The New Vanilla Shakeology has finally arrived.  It has been a long time coming as well.  Back at the 2010 coach summit, Carl Daikeler (the CEO of Beachbody), announced that Vanilla Shakeology may never happen.  This was due the the fact that it is extremely difficult to get an Organic Vanilla flavor without cutting the corner of product quality that Shakeology stands for.  But, at this years coach summit, Beachbody announced that they finally found a way to make Vanilla a reality.  The journey took them all the way to Madagascar but they cracked the code.  We now have an awesome Vanilla Shakeology.

What Is Shakeology?

For those of you who don’t know what Shakeology is in the first place, let me explain.  Shakeology is a meal replacement, whole food, high protein shake that is a daily dose of dense nutrition.  It is something that I have been using everyday for the last 3 years.  But believe it or not, I wasn’t always sold on it due to the price.  At $120 per bag, ( $4 per serving), I didn’t think think I could fit it into my budget . But MY Coach showed me how to use it…as a meal replacement.  I realized that if I replaced my pre-workout protein bar ($3) and my multivitamin ($1) that it would equal my cost!  I also realized that the VALUE of nutrition that I would receive from Shakeology would be much greater than a protein bar.  I also decided that I would use it for Lunch occationally which ended up saving me $6 each time I did it!  I still wasn’t convinced however.  So I decided to keep my schedule completely the same except for adding in Shakeology for 30 days.  I was amazed by my results.  I had gone from 8% body fat to 6% and went from 160lbs to 162lbs!  Muscle gain and fat loss!  I was hooked.

Shakeology is by far the healthiest meal I have all day.  I believe in it so much that I have everyone that I care about the most (my wife, mom, dad, friends, etc) using it.  I also now recommend it for everyone going through any Beachbody programs like P90X, Insanity, TurboFire, Body Beast, T25, and for those I Coach (if I’m not your Coach yet, click here, it’s free to sign up).

Vanilla Shakeology Review

Back to Vanilla Shakeology.  I was lucky enough to be able to try it as soon as it was announced at the 2013 Coach summit this year.   I have already tried it over 5 times and can tell you that it is already one of my favorite flavors.  I would put it either tied or right behind Chocolate Shakeology.

Taste:  The taste of Vanilla Shakeology is smooth and settle.  It has a very nice, not too sweet, Vanilla flavor with a hint of Cinnamon.   This combo blends extremely well with Milk, Almond Milk and rice milk.  I also like the fact that I can use a vanilla protein powder with it and it makes it taste great as well.

Overall I would say that Vanilla is definitely a flavor that I will use often.  For me, it is definitely worth trying.

Vanilla Shakeology Recipe

There are a ton of recipes to try but right now, this is my favorite.

• 12 oz of Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk
• 1 Scoop / Packet of Vanilla Shakeology
• 1 Scoop Vanilla Protein powder
• 1/2 Banana
• 1 cup of ice

Vanilla Shakeology Samples

Want to try Vanilla Shakeology?  There are two ways to do so.  First, you can take up Beachbody on their “Bottom of the Bag” guarentee…this means that you can try the whole bag of Vanilla Shakeology risk free.  If you try the whole thing and are not satisfied then you can just call up Beachbody Customer Service and they will refund you your Money!  It’s a great way to try it for 30 days to see the full effects.

I also have samples of Vanilla Shakeology that I will be sending out every week or so.  In order to receive a free Vanilla Shakeology Sample you have to visite the Shakeology Sample Page Here.  There are some easy requirements to receive it.

1. I have to be your Beachbody Coach! If not, click here.
2. You have to be SERIOUS about purchasing if you like the taste! I have no issue with sending out the sample, but if you don’t plan on purchasing if you like the taste, please don’t request one because it does cost me about $10 to send out a sample. This is something that I’m confident will work for you because of how it did for me, my family, friends, and the other people I coach, so please only request one if you’re really looking to make a change in your health! To request one, either contact me on my Facebook Page or email me at scal11083@beachbodycoach.com

How to Buy Vanilla Shakeology

Buying is vey easy.  Just Click on the link below.  Select your flavor.  Select if you want to get Monthly Auto Ship (which gives you free shipping) or a 1 time order.  Add it to your cart and check out!

Here are the Tropical Shakeology Ingredients and Nutrition facts:

Click Here to Try Shakeology!

Whole Food Based!

Another great aspect of the Tropical Shakeology Ingredients is that it is completely whole food based.  You won’t find any synthetic vitamins/minerals in here.  That is very uncommon, and I am very happy to see it. Whole foods are the best source of anything.  Our bodies can absorb and process whole food based vitamins/minerals much better than the synthetic versions, so you get more bang for you buck.  Beachbody is extremely particular when it comes to what they put into Shakeology, that is why it took them so long to come out with a 3rd flavor.  But it was well worth the wait. 

What are some of the NEW Tropical Shakeology Ingredients?

Since Beachbody is constantly looking to up their game when it comes to the quality of their products, it has come to no surprise that they are introducing brand new ingredients into Tropical Shakeology.  Darin Olein, the c0-creator of Shakeology, is constantly searching for the latest and greatest that nature has to offer.  I remember him talking about some of these great new ingredients when I heard him speak at the coach summit last year.

Konjac Root: Contains glucomannan, a soluble dietary fiber that absorbs 200 times its weight in water. What that does is slow down how quickly the stomach empties after a meal so you feel fuller longer. It also promotes satiety for reduced cravings.

Himalayan Salt: The stuff is completely natural, free from toxins, relatively untouched, and as a result, still contains more than 70 trace minerals. Himalayan salt actually helps to contribute to the sweetness of a product as well.

L uo Han Guo: This is a low-calorie, low glycemic fruit that lends complex sweetness to foods. It is traditionally used in Asia for medicinal purposes. It works as and antioxidant and help support the immune system. The low-glycemic nature of Luo Han guo helps maintain health blood sugar levels and aids in weight loss.

Coconut Flower Nectar: A naturally sweet, nutrient-rich nectar that comes from coconut blossoms. It contains amino acids, minerals, vitamin C, and a broad spectrum of B vitamins. This too is naturally low on the glycemic index which means that it will produce a slow energy release instead of a spike and crash in energy. This ingredients is also sustainably sourced.

I am extremely excited to add Tropical Shakeology to my diet because of these awesome ingredients.  It is always good to keep mixing things up and trying new things.  I think that adding a great plant based protein into my diet will only help.  The Tropical Shakeology ingredients sounds awesome and I hope and if it tastes as good as it did when I tried the “beta” version, I know that you will all love it.

Click Here to Try Shakeology!

(Click the Pic to Enlarge)

For those of you who haven’t tried Shakeology yet, you can get a free sample, if you are already a member on my team,  or you can order it with a “Bottom of the Bag Guarantee”.  That means that you can try Shakeology out for 30 days and if you don’t like it you can send it back.  Chances are you will like it very much.  Shakeology is a meal replacement drink that has everything that our bodies need to be working at full capacity that we don’t get from our everyday diets.  All you have to do is substuite 1 meal or snack per day with Shaekology and you will see great results in Health, results and energy.

To order Shakeology Risk Free CLICK HERE (don’t forget that you get free shipping by ordering on monthly auto)

We Go Both Wheys…

by Carl Daikeler

Recently, we’ve received some questions about what constitutes a good source of protein and what is suspect.

In fact we’ve seen some leading opinion makers start to criticize whey protein isolate -  apparently to justify their own line of protein products. The arguments regarding whey protein isolate vs. whey protein concentrate which I have read are usually one-dimensional and fail to paint a complete picture of the benefits found in both types of whey protein.

On behalf of Beachbody’s formulation and scientific experts, I’ve asked our team to dispel the myths about whey and clear up some of the confusion. Below, we describe why we feel whey protein isolate is appropriate if not more favorable than other dairy-sources of protein, and by far more desirable than soy – even for my vegan wife and Shakeology co-formulator, Isabelle.

Myth #1: Protein isolates are proteins stripped away from their nutritional co-factors.

Whey protein isolate is the most pure and concentrated form of whey protein available. It contains 90% or more protein and very little (if any) fat and lactose. While it is possible that some nutritional co-factors found in whey protein concentrate are not found in isolates, consider that the synthesis of whey protein isolate with the over 70 organic compounds and super foods in our Shakeology product provide a comprehensive and bio-available spectrum of nutrients for the human body. Whey protein isolate is also an exceptional choice for individuals with lactose intolerance or who experience bloating and other problems associated with whey protein concentrate.  Whey concentrate is the better choice for supplements which have a more targeted focus (such as muscle recovery) versus total nutrition. A high quality whey protein concentrate is used in Beachbody’s P90X Results and Recovery and Whey Protein Powder products.

Myth #2- Whey protein isolates are exposed to acid processing.

Isolates can be processed a number of ways. Processing whey protein to remove the lactose, fats, and cholesterol while not losing its biological activity takes special care by the manufacturer. We have gone to great lengths to make sure that the whey protein isolate in Shakeology is purified using a technique called ion-exchange where protein is separated through its specific electrical charge. No acid is used in this process. The Shakeology whey isolate is extracted using a cold-processing method, avoiding high heat, leaving it 90% protein and virtually fat and lactose-free. Great care is taken not to ‘denature’ the protein in Shakeology. That’s why we call it “nature in a bag.” We mean it.

Myth #3: Your body cannot assimilate proteins in isolated form.

There is no credible science to support this assertion. Whey protein is a very high quality complete protein with rich amounts of all the essential amino acids. Whey protein isolate is the purest form of whey protein, which is why it is absorbed efficiently into the body.

Isabelle is a great example of someone who cannot ingest Whey Concentrate on a regular basis because she is allergic to dairy (protein & all). She suffered from intense bloating, gas and nausea.

The enzymes and vitamins present in the fat and environment of whey concentrate do not seem to enhance her ability to process it, and that’s even with extra enzymes taken with the meal for good measure. Still no luck.

She has used whey protein isolate in her diet on a regular basis, through Shakeology for years now, and she has not only had no adverse reaction, but the whey isolate has satisfied her protein requirements in an otherwise complete vegan lifestyle.

Myth #4: Due to over-processing, isolates are deficient in key amino acids.

Not true. Protein is made up of essential and non-essential amino acids, which are the “building blocks” for healthy bodies. The body is able to make non-essential amino acids from other amino acids in the body. However, the body is not able to make essential amino acids and the only way to get them is by eating high quality protein foods. Protein sources that contain all of the essential amino acids are called “complete proteins”.

Good news: The whey used in Shakeology is a complete protein containing all essential amino acids exclusively in the more natural L-form (not D-form). Additionally, all of the 3 branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) including Leucine are present in Shakeology at high levels.

Finally, we all need to understand that the human body is exceptionally complex and always changing. What your body needed today it may not need in ten years. What it reacted to ten years ago it may crave today. And every one is different.

We don’t expect Shakeology to be the answer for everyone, and we are always working on ways we can complement the line of healthy options (and flavors, yes… it’s true.)

Every ingredient in Shakeology has been selected carefully to create a nutritional “symphony” of ingredients working together for maximum biological value. We would never include “putrid proteins” or chemical additives in a product we stand behind as “the healthiest meal of the day.”

All Beachbody nutrition products are 3rd party tested to ensure they are free of rancidity, toxins, hormones and all of the other things most people fear from dairy products. When sorting through the endless amounts of nutritional advice found in the Internet, consider the source, and above all else, look to your own body’s response for a clue to the truth. Be wary of individuals or companies offering alarmist nutritional advice while at the same time hocking their own products. (And when someone says their shake is as good as Shakeology, ask them to prove it with an unconditional money back guarantee.)

Oh snap! No he didn’t! (Yes, we did.)

source:  http://www.carldaikeler.com/2011/10/we-go-both-wheys/

What’s your take on Whey Isolate or Concentrate?  Do you have a preference?

If you have fallen off the fitness wagon or looking to get back into shape then this is for you. Beachbody has is starting up the Beachbody Challenge. The Beachbody Challenge is a contest where Beachbody will help motivate you to get fit by winning some serious cash. $100,000 is prize serious. If you want to get fit, now is the time to do it. The best part is that you can use any Beachbody program and share your results for a FREE T-shirt and a chance to win over $100,000!

Because of this great opportunity I am now starting Challenge Groups! I will be putting together exclusive groups of 5 people together, doing the same program, using the same supplements, and having them all stay accountable to each other, while have ME as your coach during the entire 90 days. I will be coaching you One on One in a small group setting, helping you to get the most out of your program of choice. I will be creating a specific private Facebook group and adding you to it. That will be where all 6 of us can stay in close contact with each other during the entire length of the program.

Why Make Challenge Groups?

From my experience, there are 3 key factors to getting results.  You need to be working out, eating healthy and getting motivation and support.  Combine them all together and you will get results guaranteed.  Fitness + Nutrition + Support = Success .  Having a small, 5 person, challenge group makes communication, support, and accountability much easier.  You are able to hold each other accountable and push each others as you go through P90X together!  When you have others with you in your fitness journey you will be able to use their support to get even greater results.  This is what coaching is all about.  Some of the groups I have done in the past have told me that there was no way they could have gotten the results they did without being apart of an exclusive group.  If you want to feel Motivated, get Support, and help finish P90X once and for all there is no better way then Joining this exclusive challenge group!

How Do I Join a Challenge Group? What Are the Requirements?

1.  Make me your coach. The very first thing you need to do is join my team (click here to do so).  It’s free to join.  By making me your coach you will have constant access to me.  You will be able to ask me questions and get support.  I will be checking up with you everyday, if needed, in your challenge group to make sure that you are doing everything you need in order to get the results you are after.

2.  You need to be using Shakeology and a Beachbody Program like P90X, Insanity or TurboFire (to name a few).  Remember I said that success comes from Fitness + Nutrition + Support?  Well, Shakeology takes care of the nutrition.  No more terrible lunches, or skipping breakfast.  Shakeology will take care of that.  It’s a product that I have been using for over 2 years now and I am 100% confident that it works.  I have recommended it to my family, friends and literally everyone one I know.  If you want the best results possible then you need to be using Shakeology as a meal replacement once per day, everyday.  Combine that with a healthy diet and a workout program and you will get results.  I have coached over a thousand people and this combination has been shown to get people the best possible results.  Beachbody just actually released new Challenge Packs that combine Shakeology, a workout program, and a free month’s Club Membership at a discount price for purchasing together. You can get those by signing up for the Beachbody Challenge (By Clicking Here)

3.  Once you purchase a Challenge Pack or reach all the requirements to join a group, email me at SCaL11083@beachbodycoach.com and I will pair you with 4 other people who are going through the same program and have the same goals as you, create an exclusive team Facebook group, and then you will get started!

What do I need to do once I’m in a Challenge Group?

First thing you need to do is to share you goals with everyone in the group, me included.  Once in the group, you will need to participate by posting daily that you have completed your workout, followed the diet and share anything of your thoughts or questions you have having.  You will also need to support the other members of the group as well.  You will also need to take progress pictures and post them as well.  Every 15 to 30 days.  That way you can show your results and help motivate everyone else.  I can also create specific challenges in the group for small prizes, like one for who loses the most weight in 90 days.

What Are the Prizes?

There are TONS of reasons to get healthy and fit but if prizes are your thing then you will be very happy.  Beachbody is giving away free T-Shirts to those who complete their program, a Daily prize of $500 to one lucky person when you log your workout in the Super Gym, a Quarterly prize of $5,000 and a expense paid trip, and a Grand Prize of $100,000 for the person with the best results.  You can learn more on the Beachbody Challenge Site. Plus, the one that excites me the most, is if I can get a certain number of people to join these challenge groups, which I think I will get FOR SURE, then I will be holding a personal conference call with my challenge groups, the CEO of Beachbody Carl Daikeler, and (drumroll please), the trainer of my choice, which OBVIOUSLY would be Tony Horton!

You are not going to find a better way to get results than you would being apart of a Challenge Group.  You will get One on One support from me and the others in your group, prizes for your efforts, and great results from committing to a 90 day plan.  Fitness + Nutrition + Support = Results.  You will get in the best shape of your life.  So Take the Challenge!  Join a Group!  Email me!  and let’s change lives together!

Most of you who are going through P90X ask me what supplements I recommend.  Shakeology is on the top of my list.  When I started P90X back in January of 2009, I didn’t have Shakeology because it wasn’t created yet.  Since it has been created I have been taking it and reaping the benefits.  Both in my health and in my all around fitness.  So I truly believe that if you really want to get extreme results with P90X, you should definitely do your self and body a favor and try Shakeology.

How do you incorporate Shakeology into the P90X diet guide though?  Well, the good news is that the P90X diet guide has you eating a very healthy amount of food.  As a matter of fact, when I first started P90X, the guide had me eating MORE calories than what I was eating before.  P90X2 will incorporate Shakeology into the nutrition plan so you don’t have to worry about it, but in the mean time I found this great article by one of my favorite Fitness Experts, Steve Edwards.  If you have read some of my other posts, you will know that this man knows his stuff.  So if you have questions about Shakeology and P90X, here is all the info you need!

Can Shakeology replace one of my meals in the P90X nutrition plan?

I’d hope so, given that it’s a meal replacement shake! But seriously, Xers do have a different nutritional equation to consider than most other people do. Generally, meal replacement shakes are designed so you drink one of them instead of eating a meal to help you lose weight. Of course, Shakeology fits into this mold just fine. In fact, given how nutrient-dense it is, I’d say it’s better than anything on the market. And even though it contains an entire day’s worth of many nutrients, it’s still only 140 to 150 calories.

Aren’t most of the meals in the P90X nutrition plan in the 400 to 500 calorie range?

Exactly. And it won’t serve the average Xer well to cut out calories. This is because as you get fitter, your nutritional requirements change along with your body composition. When you first start to exercise, you can lose weight just by restricting your caloric intake. But as you gain muscle, you need to eat more to continue losing weight, and this is often a lot more than you ate when you first began losing weight—sometimes it’s more than double. If you eat too little during P90X, your weight loss can plateau, along with your ability to do the workouts.

This is why we give you a lot of smoothie recipes and options. Shakeology, like many other meal replacement shakes, can be a component of something larger. For meals, we suggest adding more calories from healthy fat sources, like nut butters (almonds, cashews, etc.), along with more standard smoothie-like ingredients, like fruit. Doing this not only brings your calories into line with your diet plan, but helps you balance your meals so they digest more slowly, like ordinary meals generally do.

I’m doing the portion approach in P90X. What block(s) could Shakeology replace?

The portion plan is basically little chunks of macronutrients portioned out to help you easily balance your diet. Shakeology is equal parts carbs and protein, with almost no fat. So Shakeology can replace one block of protein and one block of carbs.

Can Shakeology replace one of the snacks in the P90X nutrition plan?

Shakeology is an incredibly nutrient-rich snack, a perfect snack for Xers. Again, because it doesn’t have much fat, its nutrients are put to use very quickly by your body. This makes it an ideal pick-me-up snack when you’re on the go. It’s better, in fact, than a lot of energy drinks. While something like Red Bull^® might give you more up-front punch, Shakeology will give you sustained energy because it’s providing nutrients your body needs to get things done, and it has a low glycemic impact, which helps keep blood sugar levels stable.

Shakeology’s macronutrient ratio splits the difference among sports drink, protein shake, and recovery drink, but it can substitute for any or all of them, because it also has an excellent micronutrient profile. Most people are focused only on macronutrients (proteins, fats, and carbs), but macronutrients are only part of your nutritional equation. Micronutrients are things like phytonutrients, adaptogens, and other scientific-sounding stuff. While we refer to these as “micro,” nutritionally, they’re anything but small. Many of them are absolutely essential for a healthy life. Shakeology speeds these micronutrients into your system, which enables you to perform better.

Why don’t we hear more about the importance of micronutrients?

Not to dwell too much on conspiracy theories, but “Big Food,” as we call the American food industry, doesn’t want us focusing on micronutrients because most of them have been destroyed in many of the foods we eat, killed by things like processing and pasteurization. These processed foods are then sprinkled with what have been lobbied to be “important” ingredients, but which in reality barely provide enough nutrition for basic survival, as opposed to thriving. As you can observe by watching the American population grow “larger,” this is leading to all sorts of problems.

In nature, of course, food doesn’t come packaged and processed and robbed of vital nutrients that make it good for us. It has a balance of nutrients that help sustain life. It’s possible for food scientists to recreate this balance in processed foods, but this is expensive. Essentially, if it doesn’t fit the numbers, shareholders don’t want to see it happen. So the Big Food corporations make cheap food and keep us in the dark about nutrition. This is exactly why we’re in the predicament we’re in today, with obesity and poor health, because it’s much cheaper to make calorie-rich, nutrient-poor food than it is to produce natural food.

This is why Shakeology has been designed the way it has. There isn’t any one food in nature that has all the micronutrients we need to fill the nutritional gaps in our diets—that’s why we need to eat a variety of foods. But most of us don’t do that. So at its core, this is what Shakeology is doing—filling in our nutritional gaps.

Can Shakeology substitute for P90X^® Results and Recovery Formula^®?

It’s not an exact swap, but you could do a lot worse. When you’re training very hard, like those times when your body is shaking—during, say, P90X Chest & Back—Results and Recovery Formula is better because your body is “bonking”; it’s essentially run out of glycogen, or blood sugar. Any time you’re in this state, the more quickly you can recharge your glycogen, the less damage you’ll do to your muscle cells, and the faster you’ll recover. It’s the one and only time sugar is a preferred nutrient in your diet.

Shakeology doesn’t have nearly as much sugar as Results and Recovery Formula does. Shakeology only has a little, for nutrient transport. But because Shakeology’s other ingredients also support your digestive processes, it helps you assimilate nutrients more rapidly. The latest science showing that a small amount of protein can “piggyback” on sugar, helping your body put the protein to use more rapidly, during or after exercise, holds true for Shakeology. It’s not as effective as a Results and Recovery Formula for your hardest workouts, but at any other time, it’s pretty darn good.

How’s Shakeology as a protein shake?

Shakeology has an ample amount of protein. While many protein shakes on the market may have more grams of protein, the type of protein they use often digests so slowly you can’t drink them when you’re active. Shakeology uses whey protein, which is one of the most (if not the most) bioavailable sources of protein. That means it absorbs more quickly into the system than other proteins do. Most proteins, especially when you get them in a whole food, take forever to digest. This means that eating protein right before, during, or right after exercise is generally a waste, because your body is using energy to digest something that won’t help you for hours, energy that it could be using to enhance your workout or recovery. But when you combine whey protein along with Shakeology’s other nutrients, you have a high-protein shake that can fit into many different nutritional slots in your day, something a standard protein drink can’t do.

Should I still bother taking P90X  Peak Health Formula or ActiVit^® multivitamins if I’m drinking Shakeology every day?

We get the vitamin question a lot, because Shakeology has so many vitamins in it already. However, using my previous example involving processed foods, on any given day, most of us only get a fraction of the nutrients we should be consuming, even when we’re eating more calories than we should. This is exactly why we have vitamin supplements in the first place. Throw exercise into the equation, which accelerates your body’s usage of nutrients, and you can see why we recommend so many times the recommended daily allowance* (RDA) for certain vitamins and minerals.

For an average person, Shakeology might eliminate the need for a multivitamin. But if you remember the movie Supersize Me, you may recall that the average American takes about 600 steps a day—which isn’t even your warm-up for a P90X workout! No one doing a Beachbody program is average. Xers, especially, are advised to take additional vitamin supplements.

It’s also great to take your supplements along with Shakeology because they’ll digest more easily with help from Shakeology’s digestive enzymes and whole-food sources of nutrients. One of the limiting factors with supplements is how well (or not so well) your body can assimilate them. Adding them to something you know your digestive system can break down easily is a plus.

It’s important to mention two other variables here as well. First, many—if not most—of our customers are trying to lose weight. This requires reducing caloric intake while adding exercise, which increases nutrient requirements. Starting to see an equation where multivitamins and supplements make sense? The body can be a complex organism, but this comes down to simple math. The key to losing weight isn’t just reducing calories; it’s also finding a way to reduce your caloric intake and still get enough nutrients to keep you body functioning at its highest level. To do this, you need to seek out nutrient-dense foods. As I said before, you’d be hard-pressed to find something else that’s as nutrient-dense as Shakeology.

Then there’s the RDA, which is the “recommended daily allowance” for everybody. Imagine one nutritional number for every person on the planet, from a 100-pound computer programmer who sits all day to a 350-pound NFL lineman. How absurd is that? Anybody who’s doing P90X is no longer an average individual. So chances are the RDA won’t fit the bill if you want your body to perform as well as it can.

When’s the best time to drink Shakeology during a P90X day?

One of the beautiful things about Shakeology is how versatile it is. Because it helps you digest anything you consume along with it, there isn’t really a wrong time to have it. Ideally, its best slot in an Xer’s day is as a pre-workout snack, taken about 1 hour prior to your warm-up. Then your workout will help you get the most out of Shakeology, and the Shakeology will help you during the latter part of your workout, especially if your glycogen stores have been depleted slightly. Shakeology can also be effective pre-workout, post-workout, or any time during the day when your energy’s flagging and you need a pick-me-up. Or you can make Shakeology smoothies and simply replace your meals. Basically, you can’t go wrong.

Is there anything else you’d like to add about Shakeology?

Price holds a lot of people back, and I can understand that on the surface, Shakeology might look expensive. We tend to look at foods in a cost-to-calorie ratio, instead of a cost-to-nutrient ratio. Sure, you can buy a Big Gulp^® and you get 800 calories for a dollar (or something like that). But what good are they? There are no micronutrients. They’re full of man-made sugar, chemicals, and the by-products of genetically modified corn and soy production—no nutrition whatsoever. Whereas if you tried to assemble all the nutrients in Shakeology independently, you’d have to spend 40 bucks.

If you’re serious about your health, you should consider what you spend your money on. People drop 3 to 4 bucks a day on things that are a detriment to their health without batting an eye. We’re talking the retail price of a latte or a smoothie, or any number of things that are even less healthy. The consumer is essentially at war with a bunch of corporations that seem to be trying to poison them to make a quick buck. The obesity trend will only end when we take some responsibility for our health and begin to make better food choices.

If you have any questions about Shakeology and P90X, please use Feel free to comment below or contact me!

Believe it or not, I was a skeptic.  It took me over 6 months to even try Shakeology.  Once I did and committed to it for 30 days, I was pretty amazed by the way I felt, and the way my body responded.  For those of you who have been reading my site for some time now, you know that I replaced 1 of my meals with Shakeology and changed nothing else.  The results?…I went from 160lbs – 162 lbs and dropped 2% body fat.  I am still surprised by this.  But the more I hear the success people are having with this meal replacement drink, the more excited I am about it.   Just the other day Beachbody announced they are making a Vegan Shakeology even!

I am constantly getting the question, “What is comparable to Shakeology?”  I believe it’s because of the cost per bag.  Each serving is around $4 which is a fairly inexpensive meal if you are using Shakeology as a meal replacement (which you should be).  I know that when I eat out at lunch it can be between $7-$10.  The answer though is that there really isn’t a product that compares.  So I wanted to share this article written by Carl Daikeler, the CEO or Beachbody, talking about How to Compare Shakeology to other products.  It gives you an insiders look as to why they made this product and what they hope to accomplish with it.  It also shows you what to look out for in your diet.  Great stuff!

How To Compare Shakeology

Or, “How Do I Really Know If This is Worth the Money When Everything Else Costs Less?”

There are many “protein shakes” and meal replacements that are less expensive than Shakeology. But  comparisons – based on the simple “protein shake” or even “health shake” are usually off the mark because of intangibles like quality of sourcing, efficacy, and the delicate balance of incredible health benefits and delicious flavor that is unique to Shakeology.

When we developed Shakeology, our goal was to fill a void in the marketplace where the benefits of the shake would live up to the promise of the line “The Healthiest Meal of the Day.”  Shakeology was designed for people who want more than protein, and for people who really expect  the health benefits being represented by the ingredients on the label. With Shakeology not only do you get what you pay for, but because it tastes so good and the attention to every detail is so complete, you get more than you pay for.

To really know whether a product measures up to Shakeology, you need to keep some things in mind:

How Much is “Enough”?

We are proud of Shakeology’s 70+ ingredients. Other shakes will trumpet the number of ingredients they have too. But are the ingredients they are counting actually good for you?

Are they derived from whole food sources? They are in Shakeology! Too often the “magic ingredient” has been isolated from the enzymes and phytonutrients which actually are what is needed to make the “magic ingredient” effective when consumed.

And does the competition formulate for the synergistic benefits between the ingredients, or just slap together whatever is hot in the media? Shakeology was specially formulated for the collection of ingredients to work together like a symphony; this combination is so effective some people report dramatic benefits within the first week. We’re not just talking about weight loss here, we’re talking meaningful health benefits; regularity, energy, vitality!

Other supplements point to one or two individual ingredients and build a “story” around their super food attributes…  that’s like saying you can put Michael Jordan on a team of amateurs and still have a championship caliber team. Shakeology’s specially selected ingredients work like the dream team, all working together so YOU get the health benefits from the healthiest meal of the day.

Vanilla?

If the shake you’re considering is vanilla, how do they achieve vanilla flavoring? Our research indicates that it is impossible for the superfoods, adaptogen herbs, anti-oxidants, phytonutrients and digestive enzymes to co-exist and taste good in a vanilla flavor, unless the vanilla flavor is achieved chemically and artificially. (It’s the “dirty little secret” of the flavoring industry even though labeling guidelines still allow this artificial flavoring  to be called “natural vanilla flavoring”) Other companies are willing to use that labeling loophole for their benefit. But not Shakeology.

So here’s the question; are you drinking the shake so you can enjoy vanilla, or so you can get the incredible health benefits from a shake that doesn’t taste like a “health drink”? We call Shakeology “the healthiest meal of the day” for a reason, and we plan on doing what it takes to live up to that.

Protein:

When it comes to comparing protein quality, you need to look closely to see the truth:

“Say NO to soy”

Does the competition use ANY soy in their formulation? Soy protein contains estrogen-mimicking compounds that can interfere with your hormones, and on top of that most of the soy in the marketplace is GMO (genetically modified), two important reasons why we don’t use soy in Shakeology.

It is our general opinion that many people are consuming too much soy in the pursuit of health – and thus perhaps producing too much estrogen which can cause many adverse issues in the body.  Do a little research of your own on the topic, and you will be as shocked as we are at what you will learn about soy.

Likewise, if a company is promoting that their protein is “more absorbable”, be careful. Protein sources like Whey Protein Hydrolysate have been shown to trigger a much higher insulin response in the body. That’s not an outcome we would tolerate in any health shake, much less Shakeology.

Our protein source is whey protein isolate, which is more than 90 percent pure protein. Plus, Shakeology is loaded with digestive enzymes-and lactase, that’s the enzyme that breaks down lactose and is found in over-the-counter products like Lactaid^®.  Don’t confuse whey protein concentrate with “isolate”. Whey protein concentrate is the least pure form of whey protein made. The benefits of “isolate” vs. “concentrate” is that the fat has been removed to achieve “isolate”. The fat in whey protein is what carries toxins consumed by the animal. That’s the reason Shakeology can be used by so many people who are lactose-intolerant – because those toxins have been removed through the isolate process.

We also look at the source of every single protein batch that shows up at the manufacturer.  If we find the manufacturer is cutting a corner by bringing in protein from farms that use hormones or are ok feeding inorganic materials to their cattle, we tell them to find another source.  This is the kind of scrutiny that other companies just don’t give their product, and it’s the kind of attention to detail which doesn’t show on the label. (But it does show in how you feel when you consume the product over the long term!)

Glycemic index tested…

In terms of sugar, many protein shakes have 1g of sugar or less. This is because they are using artificial chemical sweeteners (check the label for sucralose, aspartame, or sugar alcohols). Shakeology’s small amounts of sugar comes from natural sources which are easily processed by the body and in fact has been tested and certified by an independent lab to have a Low Glycemic Index of 24 – that’s lower than most fruits (an apple is 36 and an orange is 43)!

What is not in the base, they may suggest you add later:

Other shakes don’t cost as much as Shakeology at first glance, but they also don’t contain the full profile of  vitamins and minerals or whole-food sources of anti-oxidants, phytonutrients, adaptogen herbs, prebiotics, probiotics or digestive enzymes. We’ve seen competitors make you buy a separate vitamin pack for $150 per month! And if you want chocolate flavoring you have to buy a separate flavor packet for an extra $25 a month. If you want metabolism boosting effects and appetite control, you have to buy 2 additional products at $50 each. Once you add it up, this is hardly a “good deal” and it is usually questionably healthy..

To achieve the benefits of Shakeology we’ve seen competitors charge between $250 and $335 per month! $120 doesn’t seem expensive when you realize all of the benefits Shakeology delivers.

SUMMARY:

Formula: 70+ of the healthiest ingredients from whole food sources from around the world (including anti-oxidants, phytonutrients, adaptogen herbs, prebiotics, digestive enzymes, vitamins and minerals VS. protein, fillers, artificial coloring, and isolated glamour ingredients

Winner: Shakeology

Protein Source: Shakeology’s 15g of pure whey protein isolate plus 2g from plant sources VS soy, hydrolyzed whey and/or whey concentrate blend.

Winner: Shakeology

Taste: Rich chocolate or greenberry Shakeology Vs. chemically derived artificial-flavored competition?

Winner: Shakeology

Price: $120 for Shakeology  VS. Oops! It’s impossible to compare lesser formulations on price. But if you add in all the separate vitamins and flavoring agents the other companies ask you to buy to (try and) match the benefits and nutritional content of Shakeology, you would easily spend over $300 every month – that’s  2 ½ times the cost of Shakeology!  Sure, chocolate milk is cheaper than Shakeology. A vanilla soy shake can be cheaper than Shakeology – until you try to add what Shakeology’s got, and match what Shakeology can do for you, and then it’s no contest.

Winner: Shakeology

The best comparison is results. From weight loss and reduction in cravings, to regularity, to healthier cholesterol levels, to energy, to an overall sense of well being… We give a bottom-of-the-bag money-back guarantee on Shakeology because we KNOW people will be amazed at how they feel. Shakeology is the winner by a total knock out!

If you want to try Shakeology, Beachbody gives a 30 day “Bottom of the Bag” Guarantee.  Try it yourself by CLICKING HERE

So what is the Latest news?…Tropical Shakeology is coming in January and it will be VEGAN! Yep, that’s right….the long awaited Vegan version of Shakeology is coming much sooner than expected.  So what does that mean?  No more problems for those of you who want to stay away from any dairy and animal products.  Shakeology’s protein currently comes from Whey protein isolate, which in my opinion is the best whey protein you can possible use.  But some people just don’t want any dairy or animal products what so ever so now there is an option for them!

One of the coaches on our coaching team, Monica Parodi, also investigated and found out which protein source Tropical Flavor Shakeology will have.  Obviously we didn’t want it to be Soy because of the poor quality and the fact that it isn’t great for men.  So Beachbody is making the protein from sprouted brown rice!  Monica is the resident Vegan and she is very happy with that source of protein.  They also said it will be NON-GMO!  Of course it is!  So what about the other flavors?  Well, all other flavors will eventually roll out into Vegan as well. Carl Daikeler, the CEO of Beachbody, said that he hopes everyone will eventually switch to the vegan option since, in his opinion, it will by far be the healthiest.  Interesting…I do know that Co-Creators Darin Olein and Isabelle Daikeler or both vegan so they are obviously trying to make this the healthiest of them all.

They also said that they are taking out the suma root from Tropical so atheletes don’t have to worry about drug testing with it anymore.  Drug tests can determine the difference between a plant sterol and anabolic steroids so obviously this was a concern for athletes.  No more!

Carl also said that it is now his favorite flavor, above chocolate.  Apparently they have worked on the flavor since the coach summit and made it even better.  I can’t wait to try it!  There might even be some cool things for those already on Shakeology Home Direct.

That about wraps up all the latest Tropical Shakeology news.

What is PB2?

PB2 is a Powerded Peanut Butter by a company called Bell Plantation.  Basically what they do is remove 85% of the fat calories without using chemicals, which is typical for reduced fat foods.  There are no preservatives at all.  They remove the fat by squeezing out the oil, so all that is left is the roasted peanut butter flavor.  There are no artificial sweeteners either.  This allows you to mix PB2 into water or into Shakeology and get the same consistency as full-fat peanut butter.  I know you have heard me say “not to fear fat”.  That is still true.  Fat from nuts is good for you, but there are some people who take Shakeology that love Peanut Butter but don’t want the extra calories…my fiance falls into this category for example.  This gives you the best of both worlds.

What are the Nutrition Facts for PB2?

The serving size is two tablespoons of the PB2 powder.  You get 45 calories, 1.5 grams of fat, 5 grams carbs, 5 grams protein, and 2 grams of fiber.  Honestly it is pretty sweet.

What Do You Mix with PB2?

The only thing I have tried so far is that I have it with my Chocolate Shakeology.  I have mixed it with some almond mild and regular milk and both taste awesome.  It goes great with anything you like to pair regular peanut butter with.  One of my favorite recipes is 1 Scoop of Chocolate Shakeology, 1 cup almond milk, 2 scoops PB2, and 1/2 banana, Blend with Ice and enjoy!  It makes the whole thing taste like a scoop of Chunky Monkey for all you Ben & Jerry’s Fans out there.

Where Do I Get it?

You can find PB2 only online I believe.  The main site for PB2 is http://www.bellplantation.com/ .  They have 2 flavors…regular and Chocolate.  I haven’t tried the chocolate yet but I am sure it’s pretty good. The main difference is that it has 3 grams of sugar instead of 1 gram.

If your looking to try it with Shakeology, I recommend trying Chocolate first, you can find Shakeology on my site by CLICKING HERE, or going to the “supplements” tab and finding Shakeology.  If you can any questions about Shakeology feel free to contact me by leaving a comment or through the “contact me” tab.

Have you tried PB2?  What did you Think?  Are you going to try it?

You know that I use Shakeology on an everyday basis as both a meal replacement and my multivitamin. I keep telling you about all the benefits of the super foods that can be found in Shakeology that provide antioxidants, phytonutrients, vitamins, minerals, essential amino acids and prebiotics. I talk about the 70+ whole food ingredients that are sourced from local farmers from around the word and they have helped me maintain my energy and good healthy on an everyday basis. But you ask “What’s in Shakeology that makes it so great?”

I decided to start a list of some of the super foods that you can find in Shakeology. Each ingredient has a health benefit that makes it truly the healthiest meal you will eat during the day. I believe in this product not because of my own experience with it but what I have seen it do for others. Here are some of the reasons why…This is part 1 of a 3 part post.

Sacha Inchi: Sacha Inchi contains all the essential fatty acids and has a super high concentration of omega 3.  It promotes a balance between omega 3 and 6 so your metabolism can work perfectly. Naturally rich in protein, good fats and fiber, Sacha Inchi acts as a strong natural appetite control and creates benefits you can feel right away.  It also helps to speed your metabolism, so you can burn those fewer calories you’ve consumed more efficiently and rapidly.  The Sacha Inchi oil is used in Shakeology and it’s a nice alternative to fish oil.

Research at the University of Life Sciences in Prague, in the Czech Republic, reveals that Sacha Inchi is ideal for young and old alike—improving digestion in children and also helping to provide a wide range of benefits for the elderly.  International relief agency Oxfam International recently awarded Sacha Inchi oil the Médaille d’Or at their annual AVPA Specialty Foods Commodities competition.  The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published a study showing that individuals who consumed the highest levels of omega-3s—a key component of Sacha Inchi-had the strongest bones.

Astragalus Root: The Astragalus plant is actually a cousin of the pea family, with more than 2,000 varieties. In China, they’ve used it since before the time of Christ for therapeutic healing. They tell how it helps strengthen the immune system, increase energy and vitality, and helps keep you young for what seems like forever.  It helps to strengthen muscle mass and helps improve your metabolism, circulation, and breathing, while it helps speed healing too.

The journal of Ethnopharmacology recently reported that Astragalus can active immune cells like macrophages.  The Journal Rejuvenation Research shows that Astragalus extract can help enhance telomere strength (Telomere loss is a primary cause of aging).  UCLA researches are hopeful that using Astragalus extracts can help fight HIV and complications of chronic disease and aging.

Papain: Papain is an enzyme produced by the Papya.  The fruit itself is packed with benefits; It’s loaded with Beta-Carotene, Folate, Potassium and Magnesium.  It’s antioxidants team with it’s abundance of Vitamin C to help protect your cells, warding off the harmful molecules present in pollution and second-hand smoke.  Yet Papain goes a step further, starting with its soothing effect on digestion. It’s been used for centuries in Central America as a natural remedy for indigestion, ulcers, fevers, and swelling.  Even for insect bites (wasps, bumblebees, mosquitoes) and sea stings (jellyfish and rays), since it breaks down toxins. That’s why doctors use it here in the USA for some detox programs, and to help promote healthy wound healing.

Clinical oncology trials at the University of Köln in Germany, blending Papain and other enzymes, reduced adverse effects caused by radiotherapy and chemotherapy.  Studies at the University of Nigeria revealed papaya extracts combat bacteria . . . and also helps protectagainst kidney failure (as reported in the journal Biology and Medicine).  In the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, a University of Florida team revealed that Papain helps slow the proliferation of liver cancer cells.

Wheat Grass: Wheat Grass juice powder is high in chlorophyll, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. We don’t have a lot of ingredients that offer chlorophyll, which may help improve immune health and support detox in the body—starting with the bloodstream. Along with the other components, it helps cleanse your system of impurities, which is an important component of the healing process. A side benefit: It can deodorize the body while helping to promote a healthy metabolism and thyroid function for improved weight control and indigestion. Wheatgrass is loaded with numerous vitamins and other minerals, including 17 amino acids.  One of the most promising studies has suggested that Wheat Grass may help chemo patients need less medication.

Purdue University and Brown University joined forces to reserach how the chlorophyll in Wheat grass acts as an antioxidant, antimutegen, mutagen trap, modulator of xenobiotic metabolism, and inducer of apoptosis…with positive results, which were reported in the journal Nutrition Research

Barley Grass: Barley Grass juice powder has been used for centuries to help problems with the skin, liver, blood, and digestive tract. In Asia, Barley tea is a well-known fever remedy. And a recent study in Europe showed that barley may help regulate your blood sugar. Its 18 amino acids (including all eight essentials) complement significant amounts of vitamins and minerals: potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, phosphorous, manganese, zinc, beta
carotene, and vitamins B-1, B-2, B-5, B-6, B-9, and C.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture researched Barley Grass and reported that adding it to the diet “may be effective in lowering total and LDL cholesterol.”

Oat Grass: Oat Grass juice powder has a calming effect on the nerves, helps promote healthy sleep, and can help relieve water retention. It’s useful in numerous therapies for joints, muscles, and bones, and eating oats is a well-known way to promote healthy cholesterol levels—which may reduce your risk of heart disease. Oat grass is also a superb source of protein (as good as soy, in fact).  Oats are rich in vitamins, minerals, and all the essential amino acids . . . and if your kids have had the chicken pox, a bad rash, or sunburn, or gotten into some poison ivy, you know about putting them in a bathtub full of oatmeal-based relief.

The effect of Oats on cholesterol is well-documented.  One recent study showed when patients at Rush University Medical Center were given a diet intensive in Oats, both their LDL and total cholesterol levels went down…as a response to B-glucan, the water-soluble fiber contained in the Oats.

Kamut: Kamut is actually a branded, specialized type of certified organic Khorasan Wheat, discovered by an American in Egypt about 60 years ago.  He imported it to his family’s farm in Montana, and they’ve been perfecting it—through natural means—ever since. It’s high in selenium (crucial for cell activity in your body), as well as protein and other essentials for high energy: zinc, thiamin, phosphorous, magnesium, copper, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, vitamin E, and complex carbos.  Because it’s an ancient grain (not modified by modern agricultural methods), its nutritional content is more robust than most other grains. Its low oxidation levels mean it doesn’t lose much nutritional content when it’s processed.

Writing in Environmental Nutrition, a Leading registered dietician revealed, “Many People with wheat sensitivities report tolerating Kamut better than wheat”.

That does it for part 1 of Shakeology Super foods.  Shakeology is gluten free, caffeine free, artificial sweetener free, and the healthiest meal I consume everyday. If you haven’t tried Shakeology yet and would like a free sample, CLICK HERE.

Remember, if you buy a bag to try it for a month, Beachbody is so confident in this product that they will refund your money if you don’t think it lives up to the hype, that’s their “bottom of the bag guarantee”.  To order some now, CLICK HERE.  And if you order Shakeology, my recommendation is to get it on Home Direct (Monthly Auto), because you save the shipping cost ($10), you get a free shaker cup and 2 free Shakeology workout DVD’s with your second shipment, and you can cancel the order anytime, even after just one shipment.

I’ve been using it for a year, and I credit it for helping me maximize my results with P90X .  I never miss a day.  That’s how much I believe in this product myself.