Latest favorites in fitness and food and a protein powder giveaway
Hi, friends! I hope you’ve been having a great week! It’s about that time to share a few favorites that have been making me happy lately, and there’s a giveaway in here for you too, for one of my favorite plant-based protein powders. Let’s get right to it …
Vega Protein & Greens Giveaway
I didn’t really drink many protein shakes or use protein powder while pregnant, because I was totally averse to the thought of it — something about powder made me want to gag. So I’m glad to say that I’m loving the occasional protein shake after a tough resistance workout these days.
Right now, I’m all over the Vega line of products, which are entirely vegan and plant-based and made from whole foods. Vega was created by an ultra-athlete who wanted something healthier and more natural to fuel his serious fitness endeavors, and that’s a mission I can get behind.
My current favorite is the Protein & Greens, because it not only has 20 grams of pea protein per serving, but it also has a ton of leafy green vegetables to help you fit another serving of the good stuff in when you drink it. I also love the Vega Sport protein powder too, which has a lot more performance-based additions, and we’ll talk about that one soon.
GIVEAWAY!
One lucky winner will get a tub of the Protein & Greens in your preferred flavor. Chocolate is the best, if you ask me!
To enter: Leave a comment on this blog post. I’ll choose a winner randomly from the comments. And your email will not be shared publicly, but you have to enter it into the fields in order for your comment to show. You can access the comments at the bottom of this post, but you must click on the actual post name to get to the bottom; you can’t see the comments when you are only on the home page of aladygoeswest.com., in case you are confused.
Rules: The winner needs to reside in the U.S., and the giveaway will close on Wednesday, March 28. You must also be following A Lady Goes West on Facebook and/or Instagram to win, so make sure you’re following there.
By the way, I’m also giving away a tub over on Instagram, so you have two chances to win if you head there too. Thanks to the Vega team for providing the product for the giveaways and to me!
Delicious and colorful lunches and snacks
You guys know that I usually eat the same lunch most weekdays, then switch it up the following week. Well, this week, I was the queen of variety.
Cauliflower crust pizza from Trader Joe’s
Cauliflower crust pizza topped with basil, red sauce and turmeric was back in my life one of the days, and I paired it with sauerkraut and eggs, and somehow that combo worked.
The cauliflower crust is from Trader Joe’s, and it’s pretty good, but you need to cook it way longer than the package says in order for it to crisp up properly.
Broccoli and hummus from Lantana
I also ate a lot of greens and downed this lunch of broccoli, sauerkraut, eggs and a new-to-me hummus from Lantana Foods that was sent to me (you can find it at most major groceries). This red pepper hummus is made from edamame and beans, and it was so good! It was the perfect dipping addition to my plate.
So oftentimes, I’ll get my lunch all ready to eat and then Brady will need something, so the lunch just sits there waiting for me. I actually don’t mind eating cold food at all, because I’m so used to it by now. Well, then there’s cold broccoli …
As much as I love broccoli, it is NOT enjoyable cold, so I probably will not be cooking a lot of it in the near future, just in case, while Brady is still a needy little man (who also happens to be very cute and snuggly).
Walnut chorizo salad from Project Juice
And I even got out of the house.
The following lunch was enjoyed away from home, when I took Brady on a little date to Berkeley to hit up Project Juice. I got the chance to try some items from the new grab-and-go spring menu, and I am a big fan of the walnut chorizo salad shown here.
The chopped-up walnuts made the perfect crunch, and it was full of plant-based protein with quinoa too — I enjoyed it with a green kombucha, of course. Thanks to the folks at Project Juice, who were kind enough to host me to try out the new items.
Seed & bean medley from Trader Joe’s
When it comes to snacks, I’ve also been switching things up.
Last week, I made an impulse purchase at Trader Joe’s and was so glad I did. This seed and bean medley is totally fabulous. While it doesn’t sound very appetizing in the name, the mixture of salted and roasted pumpkin seeds, corn, chickpeas, edamame and fava beans is addicting.
I’m embarrassed to say that I finished the bag in two days. But there, I said it. So good! I’ll be getting it again, and I’ll try to make the next bag last a little longer.
Yay for food! I had a ton of healthy meals every day this week, with peanut butter and banana topped sprouted toast for breakfast each morning, but I also had room for some treats as well. No pictures of the treats are shown, but you can believe they were there. I hope you had some too!
Weekly workout recap at 23 weeks postpartum
We’re changing things up, and I’ve got a weekly workout recap for you from last week.
- Monday: 1-hour stroller boot camp, 9:15 a.m.
- Tuesday: Took 1-hour barre class, 2 p.m.
- Wednesday: 30 minutes of CXWORX at home, 12 p.m.
- Thursday: 1-hour walk, 10 a.m. (active rest day)
- Friday: 30 minutes of BODYPUMP at home, 11 a.m.
- Saturday: Taught 1-hour Bootybarre class, 11 a.m.
- Sunday: 25-minute full-body weights workout, 1 p.m.
It was a full one, and a good one, with three sessions of weights, which is always my goal.
My favorite workout of the week was attending a stroller boot camp in a park in Danville on Monday morning. We used resistance bands and the park’s environment to work the whole body with strength moves and cardio, and of course, we had our strollers/babies in tow. It’s so nice to get in a good sweat session away from home with Brady by my side. And my second favorite workout was teaching my own class on Saturday, of course. 🙂
Birthday photo-shoot fun
I just had to share this one, although it is unrelated to fitness and to food.
Yesterday was my older brother’s birthday, and so I figured I’d send him a birthday greeting card from Brady. Well, Brady had other plans. In fact, our simple photo-shoot turned into about 15 outtakes, which then became a collage. He wanted to eat the sign …
Good times were had by all.
Best reads from around the web …
I don’t have as much time to read other blogs or sites these days, that’s for sure, but here are a few stand-outs from the week …
- Snacks: You guys know I’m all about tahini, and these tahini-filled bites sound great.
- Products: I’ve mentioned my love of The Skinny Confidential Him & Her podcast in my round-up of my favorite podcasts, and a recent episode featured all of Lauryn’s favorite things, and it’s also a blog post with links. There are some winners on this product list that I want to buy, like the time cube and the foundation.
- Pregnancy: I enjoyed this post from a yoga instructor and mom-to-be about prenatal yoga. I loved doing prenatal yoga at home and did it religiously my third trimester.
- Nutrition: This is a long article, but it’s a good one with super straightforward answers on all things food.
And here’s why I don’t have as much time to read alllllllll the articles, like I used to …
So tiny, but not very helpful when it comes to blogging.
Favorite A Lady Goes West archives
Some older posts on the blog that may be worth a second look, if you’re aiming to kill some time …
- This one from earlier in the week was a fun one to write, as I took a walk down memory lane … “Five health, fitness and food-related things I never do anymore.“
- Power-walking is the new running. Not really, but power-walking can be tough. Here’s an Orangetheory-inspired routine to try if you’re in need of some cardio … “25-minute power-walking treadmill workout.“
- Wondering what Bootybarre is like? … “Class review: The Bootybarre workout.“
That’ll do it for today, my friends!
This weekend is going to be another simple one. I’ll be teaching Bootybarre and soaking up some time with the boys, as Dave will be gone next weekend. Have a great couple of days, and I’ll see you on Instagram until we meet back here again. 🙂
Favorites, healthy lunches and a protein powder giveaway on A Lady Goes West ... Click To TweetQuestions of the day
What are you up to this weekend?
What’s a favorite thing that you’re loving lately?
What flavor of protein powder would you like to try?
P.S. Don’t forget to enter the giveaway by commenting!
I LOVE the Vega Protein and Greens, I’ve been using it for a few months now but haven’t tried the chocolate yet.
And I always get lunch inspiration from your plates! Give me all the colorful plates and roasted veggies 🙂 I also loved that article, even though I only made it halfway through so far, lol. Love how it’s written though and feel like it confirms everything I believe, everything in moderation. Have a fabulous weekend!
Ohhh I love to hear that, lady! Colorful lunches (and all meals for that matter) are the best. And don’t you enjoy Q&A style information? Makes it so much easier to digest! Anywho, enjoy your day and weekend, Patricia! Are you going to Blogfest??
I’m so bummed I can’t go this year, I have a close friends bachelorette the same weekend 🙁
Oh no! Too bad! But hey, a bachelorette sounds fun! 🙂
The Chocolate Protein and Greens is seriously my favorite and tastes soo good! I love using it in my afternoon protein shake!
Yessss, Leah! I love it too! Happy Friday, gal!
I’ve tried the Vega Sport powder, but have yet to try the Proteins & Greens. Sounds totes up my alley!
Even the Brady “outtakes” are winners to me! You can’t mess up that kind of cuteness.
Xoxo.
ehehehe I’ll let him know you enjoyed the photos, Court! 🙂 Happy Friday to you, my friend!
I would love to try this as I’m always looking to add more greens in my diet!
Me too, Georgiana! Thanks for saying hi! Happy Friday!
I love the Vega line, and am with you on the chocolate! Those Brady outtakes are so cute. I have a work event tomorrow and a 5k Sunday, so should be a busy weekend.
Outtakes are actually my favorite kind of pictures! 🙂 Enjoy your busy weekend, Emily!
A lot of protein powders upset my stomach but this one sounds like it might just work! Have a great weekend 🙂
Hi Ashley! Oh too bad! I hope this one works for you– and I have heard that people with stomach issues do better with the plant-based varieties. Happy Friday, lady!
I haven’t had the chance to try the Vega protein yet, but I’ve been searching for a good plant based protein as I’ve found they are much better for my stomach. Hope you have a great weekend!
Yes, a lot of people enjoy the plant-based without dairy for sure. Thanks, Hannah! Happy Friday to you!
I wanted to try the Vega brand but I am extremely allergic to flax and have a hard time finding a good protein powder without it.
Hi Jenessa! Ohhh — I don’t think there is flax in this one, or at least it’s not mentioned on the label?
Please count me in, I would love to try it! Chocolate, of course! 🙂
Thanks, Sharon!! 🙂
I’m always on the lookout for a new protein powder to try! Thanks for the tip!
Of course! Happy Friday, Faith! 🙂
I used to use the vega protein but I have not bought in a while. TIme to try again!
Sure is, Suzie! Happy Friday, lady! 🙂
I currently have Vega One in vanilla, but I love the idea of added greens and I’ve been looking for a chocolate powder. I may just have to pick some up!
Because who doesn’t want more hidden greens? hehehe! Happy Friday, Amanda! 🙂
I definitely need to give the Vega products another try. I tried them a long time ago but didn’t really care for the taste. I think I just need another flavor! I know they also have a electrolyte mixtures too!
Hi Virjinia! I think that the newer products taste WAY better — I would agree that the original weren’t the greatest, but maybe you’d like the chocolate protein & greens! Happy Friday, lady!
I haven’t tried Vega, but currently using and love Amazing Grass! 🙂
Cool! I’ve heard good things about Amazing Grass too! Haven’t tried it though! 🙂 Happy Friday, Thuy!
my fave protein powder!
Yay!! Happy Friday, Judith! 🙂
I recently went dairy free. and got hooked on Vega protein best move i ever made
Awesome, Rob! There are so many good dairy-free products out there these days. Have you tried NadaMoo ice cream? Love it! Happy Friday to you!
I would love to try the protein for a delicious veggie boost!
Yayyyy veggies and protein! Happy Friday, Angie! 🙂
Hi Ashley, so many healthy food products to chose from. All the color on each dish makes them look so appetizing. I have never tried the Protein and Greens. I think chocolate would be the flavor I would start with. I love sauerkraut. Never thought of it with eggs. I love seeing the pictures of Brady. Setting at the computer I can just see those little fingers all over the key board. This weekend have to watch as March Madness starts to draw closer to an end. And major league baseball starts Thursday. My favorite. Sorry NBA you have to take a back seat. Going to start getting warm here this weekend. Next week be in the 80s all week. Have a wonderful weekend.
Hi Richard! Yessss so many healthy products! 🙂 You are so busy with all the sports you have to keep up with eheheh! I’m glad you have time to stop by the blog in between games hehehe! Happy Friday to you!!
Currently loving Amazon Fresh deliveries! Especially the 2-hour ones! Think it will be a super useful service when my baby boy arrives in August. Wish Trader Joes offered deliveries too 🙂 Or, at least, an online shopping and easy pick up option, cause that’s my grocery store of choice for most things. Thank you for sharing your TD favorites, by the way – that’s how I discovered the cauliflower pizza crust, and it’s been life changing 😀
Speaking of protein, definitely feel like my 21 week pregnant body is craving more of it than it normally does. Wonder if it has anything to do with the gender of the baby? Did you crave protein when carrying Brady? Remember all your burger posts 😀 I’ve been limiting my animal protein intake to poultry and seafood for the past 5 years, so would definitely like to try the vegan protein powder. As a baker, I’d definitely use it in muffins and cookies, so chocolate or vanilla would be great 😛
Hi Marie! I don’t know if the cravings during pregnancy thing is a wive’s tale, but I do know that they say you crave what you need – so maybe you need iron? I was ALL over burgers, had at least one a week, it just felt right hehehe. So yes, I loved protein — but didn’t like protein powder, so had a lot of scrambled eggs and lentil pasta (also from Trader Joe’s) and burgers! So cool you use Amazon Fresh — we used to get our groceries delivered when we lived in the city. Anywhooo hope you are feeling great in your second trimester, lady!
Vega is definitely the best tasting vegan protein powder out there! I love ALL their flavors…
It’s pretty delish! Thanks for saying hi, Katie! Hope you have a great weekend! 🙂
I’m loving garlic-roasted sea salt broad beans. They’re a yummy snack full of fiber and protein. Just picked some up while we were in Ann Arbor yesterday.
Broad beans? I don’t think I know what those are, but the sea salt addition sounds delish! Happy Friday, Cheryl! Have a great weekend! 🙂
I love Vega protein powder! It’s my go-to, although I’ve never tried the one with greens (I think I was afraid it would taste weird?)!
You can’t taste the greens! They are like a special hidden surprise hehehe! Happy Friday, Jennifer! 🙂
Brady is just the cutest! He’s getting so big!
Thanks so much, Brittany! He is growing very fast. Getting heavy heheh! Hope you have a great weekend! 🙂
Oh my goodness! Great giveaway! I’ve been eyeing Vega and would love to try the chocolate protein and greens flavor given my sensitivity to whey protein!
Hi Alaina! Yay! Perfect timing! Thanks for saying hi. Happy Friday!
I love Vega and would love to win!!
Yay Kelly! Thanks! Have a great weekend! 🙂
I’ve been interested in trying to incorporate protein powder into my daily life…but have yet to do so, because I find that there are just so many different options available out there…that it’s all a bit overwhelming to decide on one. So I’d love to try this Vega & Greens!
There are definitely a lot of options! The key is to find one with cleaner ingredients that tastes good. This one does both of those for me. Thanks, Grace! Have a great weekend! 🙂
Ooh I love Vega but have yet to try Protein and Greens! Looks delish!
Hi Lauryn! How’s life? I bet you’d love the protein & greens. Thanks for saying hello, lady! 🙂 Have a great weekend!
I love the healthy ingredients in Vega and I’d love to try their greens version of protein nutrition!
It’s good! You can’t even taste the greens. Have a great weekend, Renata! 🙂
I’m always looking for new Trader Joe’s products so I’ll have to try that medley next time I’m there!
I’d love to win the Vega Protein and Greens powder – it’d be great to add into shakes and oatmeal!
Ohh I haven’t tried adding it to oatmeal. Good idea, Liz! Enjoy your weekend! 🙂
I’d love to try the chocolate flavor.
It’s my fave! Thanks for saying hi, Deidra! Have a great weekend! 🙂
I’d love to try the protein + greens powder! More greens are always good in my book. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Mine too! Always more greens — especially when they are hidden in a chocolate protein shake. Happy weekend, Jennifer! 🙂
I just back from SF and Oakland protesting against gun violence. This is something I believe in.
That’s awesome that you were out there standing up!!
I’ve never actually tried and and the protein and greens sounds amazing.
Thanks for the review and for sharing.
It’s good! Thank YOU, Raymond, for saying hi!
Those outtakes are so cute! He didn’t seem to realize it was baby model time. 🙂
hahaha it’s nearly always baby model time. I take far too many pictures of him heheh! Hope your week is going well, Julie! 🙂
Love those pictures of Brady! He’s so adorable! I miss my little guy being that small. We spent the weekend cuddling and playing!
I’ve never tried Vega Protein & Greens. I’d sure love too! With temps warming up (hopefully), I will be making daily smoothies for me and my son, and I’d love to try a new one for him.
Vega is definitely my go to for protein powder options- love the clean label!
Awesome choice, Jess! 🙂
I like your workout routine. Sounds fun and a variety of different workouts helps us to not get bored.
Totally! Gotta switch up the workouts otherwise you’ll definitely get bored or injured. Thanks for saying hi, Latanya! 🙂
Can’t wait to try that chocolate flavor. Thanks for the giveaway!
It’s so good! Thanks for saying hi, Emily! Hope the week is going well for you!
I’ve been following your blog and Instagram for a few years now. I enjoy reading your posts and following your Instagram. You’re content is genuine and authentic. Thanks for promoting health and not just unrealistic fitness expectations. So happy for you and how you’ve overcome HA. Little Brady is adorable and you absolutely glow!
Wow, thank YOU, Jordana for reading and being so sweet. I truly appreciate it!! I happen to be a fan of real content, rather than perfect, so I’ glad you share in that with me. 🙂
Haven’t tried the protein and greens, but love the idea of sneaking in some veggies! Yes please! Your lunches have some nice variety!
Hi Laura! I know, who doesn’t love sneaky greens hehehe! You can’t taste them at all.
I’m all about vegan! Thank you for the opportunity! 🙂
Awesome! You’re welcome, Jessica! 🙂 Thanks for saying hi!
Follow you on IG as susitravl.
I’d like to try the chocolate.
Thanks so much, Susan! 🙂
I love the Vega line — I’ve used it with success in baking as well as in smoothies and oatmeal!
Good to know, Dee! I’ve never baked with it, but maybe I should try! 🙂