A few weeks ago I was invited to participate in the Vega blogger campaign to Take the Vega Breakfast Challenge. Being a huge fan of Vega I decided to take the challenge.  During the challenge I tried Vega’s Complete Whole Food Health Optimizers (WFHO) in a variety of flavors and ways.  My favorite way to use WFHO is in smoothies or in my Banana Bread Protein Pancakes.

Post 3Miler- Choco-Banana Vega Smoothie

After trying the WFHO I then compared my everyday breakfast  to only one single serving of  WFHO using Vega’s online Breakfast Nutrition Calculator. I honestly had a hard time using the the Breakfast Nutrition Calculator because I couldn’t accurately find what I normally eat each morning which is on run days is a super cacao energy bite and then most days oatmeal with banana, nut butter, chia seeds and flax.  Simply finding rolled oats on the calculator was a challenge and then when I found an item labeled “oats”, I was unable to choose the correct quantity. Additionally, when adding the chia seeds and flax to the list it did not accurately compare the two items because both include omega-3’s and they did not show up on the nutrition calculator.  Overall I thought the Breakfast Nutrition Calculator was a bit flawed and did not accurately compare the WFHO with my everyday breakfast.

Moving on to really discuss how I felt the mornings that I ate the WFHO- I felt great.  The WFHO is 100% plant-based, it’s gluten-free, soy-free and dairy free and it’s super low in calories. According to Vega only one single serving guarantees:
·         100% of you daily vitamins and minerals
·         60% daily intake of fiber
·         Healthy weight loss
·         Maintaining optimal health

I did felt more energized, full and ready to take on the day after having a smoothie or the pancakes with the WFHO.  I love that it adds the edition of:

• A Full Serving of ChlorEssence (High CGF Chlorella)
• Rich in protein, chlorophyll and nucleic acids DNA & RNA
• Cleanse, nourish, rejuvenate cells and activate, support immune system
• Special cell wall fiber binds to and removes heavy metals and other toxins from the body
• A Full Serving of MacaSure (Organic Gelatinized Maca)
• Rich in alkaloids, glucosinolates, minerals and sterols
• Increase energy, reduce stress, balance hormones, improve libido
• Gelatinization enhances potency and ease of digestion/absorption

Overall I felt that the challenge was a success because I felt a difference in my energy levels throughout the day.  I am, and have been, a fan of the product for years and will continue to use it.  The only downfall in this challenge really was the Breakfast Nutrition Calculator, however there is no debate that the added nutrients in WFHO is a great addition to any breakfast.  Additionally the recipes that Vega offers on the Breakfast Challenge Page are really great and include smoothie, pancake and cereal recipes all using WFHO.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of WFHO? Mine is the chocolate!

*Giveaway*

I am giving away one single serving size of WFHO to one lucky CVL reader- all you have to do is tweet “I want to win @cookveganlover @VegaTeam Whole Food Health Optimizer giveaway http://wp.me/pFVWo-2yl #vegabreakfastchallenge” and then come back here and leave a comment letting me know you did so BY September 10, 2011.