Good Intentions & Busy Week

 Yeah...THAT was about a week and a half!  Whew!  My Healthy eating intentions and attempts where good this week!  I'm pleased!  One thing I haven't done as of yet is this week's smoothie...but...I might do it for 'dessert' this evening!  This is the one that is on my list!  Blackberry Chia Maca Smoothie!
2 C Blackberries
2 C Coconut Milk
1 T Agave
1 T Chia Seeds - hydrated
1 tea Maca Powder
(Borrowed & Altered Photo from Sun Warrior)

What's this?  You might be asking...Well, let me tell you!  It's from Core Foods and it's a Defender Meal - a FULL Meal To Go!  It's High in Fiber and the flavor I had yesterday for my lunch was Raw Almond Raisin!  It's Raw Vegan, USDA Organic, and Tested Gluten Free!  This specific flavor had ALL Organic Whole Oats, Almonds, Raisins, Flax, and Ground Spices.

CORE is as fresh as Produce!  It lasts 6 months frozen, 1 month chilled, and 1 week on the go!  They suggest storing in the freezer for maximum freshness!  If you do freeze these babies than they suggest you let thaw for 10 minutes prior to eating!  All you have to do is eat ONE bar and follow it up with TWO glasses of water!  By doing this THIS product is equal to a full bowl of oatmeal and gives you FOUR HOURS of stable energy!

I would totally agree with this giving you energy!  After eating it I, personally, was in a VERY good mood, my energy level was extremely high AND my mind was on-track and quite clear!  And it wasn't one of those 'mind games' because I wasn't concentrating on the fact that I had one of these for lunch nor was I really 'expecting' it to give me 'that much' energy.  It wasn't until late in the evening that I wondered if my energy and mood had to do with what I ate...I'm chalking it up as so!

Here are some of my other findings for this product!  I thought the Whole Oat and Almond Combo provided an interesting taste and texture upfront.  Unlike anything I have ever had before!  The Raisin and Spice combo helped punch the flavor thru!  The Raisin did jump in with a sweetness all of it's own as well!  The Oat and Raisin flavors seemed to linger...that was pretty pleasant!  I was incredibly impressed with the mass and weight to this!  I was surprised at how well the ingredients stayed together while eating it yet it was still soft and chewy on the teeth!

I REALLY liked this!  It was fulling, flavorful, and walked-the-walk according to their product description and claims!  I have two others on hand.  I'm a little nervous about the one because it contains Banana and I have always HATED Banana...but...along this Blissful Journey of mine...I will give it a whirl!

Even tho the weather is going to be crappy - yet again - this weekend - I'm going to try and keep a smile on my face and some projects on tap!  What will you be doing this weekend!?

Participating: Healthy Vegan Friday's