August 27, 2012

PlantFusion Review & Giveaway

I thought for sure I would be sore when I woke up this morning, but my legs felt great! So I decided to do my second Wii Active workout of the week. I chose one that was focused on the legs, all strengthening exercise. Basically all of the exercises I love to hate: squats, lunges, jumping squats, jumping lunges, inline skating, kick-ups, etc. But I figured those would be most beneficial to keeping my legs injury-free for the rest of marathon training.

Speaking of marathon training, I am now less than eight weeks away from the race. This time around, training is much better--I don't have to deal with the knee pain, and it's made such a big difference in my spirit. And I'm super excited about running in the fall. Michigan is gorgeous in the fall, and I'm sure the weather will be great for the race in mid-October.

It was pouring rain today, so I took the kids to the pool at the rec center. I didn't really feel like swimming, but I did tread water for a while when the kids were jumping off the diving board. Treading water gets tiring after a while! It reminded me of an episode of "I Shouldn't Be Alive", where this guy is stranded in the ocean without a boat or raft or anything, and he survives for a crazy amount of time--like 36 hours or something. That's a very long time to stay afloat!

On to the review and giveaway...


Recently, a company called PlantFusion contacted me to see if I'd like to sample their protein powder. Since it wasn't whey based (I break out badly when I drink whey shakes), I was excited to try it out. It was hard to find a good-tasting alternative to the whey powder, but I eventually found one I really liked (it's an egg protein powder).

Anyway, PlantFusion sent me four single-serve packets, one in each of their flavors: vanilla bean, chocolate, chocolate raspberry, and unflavored. The powders are unique in that they contain:
  • No dairy
  • No soy
  • No eggs
  • No wheat
  • No peanuts
  • No tree nuts
  • No fish
  • No shellfish
  • No animal
  • and are Hypo-gluten free


First, I tried the vanilla bean. I made it the way I usually do my shakes--in a blender, with milk, some pudding mix, ice, xathan gum and guar gum (to make a creamy texture). I used Oreo pudding mix, to try and make a "cookies 'n cream" type shake.
1 serving vanilla protein powder, 1 cup milk,
2 Tbsp. Oreo pudding mix, 1/4 tsp. each
xanthan and guar gum, 10 ice cubes.
I have to say, I was impressed with the flavor! The protein powder is vegan, and I didn't have any luck with the other vegan protein powders I tried before, but this one was good. The next day, I tried the chocolate in one of my favorite go-to shake recipes: the Chocolate Cherry Almond shake. I wasn't quite as impressed with the chocolate. The flavor was really good (it reminded me of chocolate cake batter), but it left a strange texture in my mouth.

I had no idea what to do with the chocolate raspberry flavor, so I decided that to be fair, I should mix it according to the directions on the package--add it to 10-12 oz. of water and shake. I've never had a protein shake made that way before, because the thought of it just grossed me out. But I know a lot of people drink their shakes that way, so I gave it a try.

I wasn't crazy about the flavor. The texture was actually really nice, and the powder mixed into the water without any clumps at all, but the raspberry flavor was overpowering--it reminded me of raspberry Jello. Which some people may really like--it just wasn't my thing.

I haven't used the unflavored packet yet, because I'm not sure what to do with it. I'll have to search some recipes, but I'll probably try it in oatmeal or something.

Overall, I would have to say that the PlantFusion powders are definitely the best of all the vegan protein powders I've tried. The vanilla bean was my favorite flavor. Usually what I do with my egg protein powder is buy just vanilla, and then when I want a chocolate shake, I add 1 Tbsp. of cocoa powder to it. No need to buy both flavors.

PlantFusion has generously offered a bottle of protein powder to a Runs for Cookies reader!
To enter the drawing:
1) "Like" the PlantFusion page on Facebook (their requirement, not mine), and
2) Leave ONE comment on this post

I will accept entries until Wednesday, August 29th at 7:00 a.m. EST. Winner will be selected by random draw. Good luck!

PlantFusion website
PlantFusion on Twitter
PlantFusion on Facebook

Disclaimer: I was not paid for this post; PlantFusion gave me four free samples to review, and all opinions are my own, honest opinions.

83 comments:

  1. I'd love to try it! I'm always looking for new protein sources!

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  2. I would love to try plantfusion!

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  3. As someone who cannot tolerate dairy (and has a bad reaction to whey AND egg protein powders), it would be really great to try something that doesn't give me a stomach-ache for a week!

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  4. Whey protein causes me to break out as well and I love the vanilla egg protein powder but would like to have other options as well. This info is great. Thanks for your honest reviews.

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  5. I'll try anything once! And I'm so glad your marathon training is going so well this time and I'm especially happy that after your first marathon experience you weren't satisfied and decided to give it another go.

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  6. I'm going to have to try and make my shakes like that!! It looks yummy!!

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  7. Jenn in JerseyAugust 27, 2012

    Sounds great! Happy to hear your training is going well...

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  8. I would love to try it. I never feel "right" after drinking a shake with whey protein.

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  9. I would really like to try PlantFusion. I love protein shakes.

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  10. Sounds yummy!

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  11. Non dairy? I'd love to try it!!!

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  12. would love to try!

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  13. Wow, these sound great. I am always looking to try something new!

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  14. The shakes, well your version of them, sound good. Worth trying. Your training is inspiring.

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  15. I haven't tried many protein shakes before but I like the vegan concept.

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  16. I've been looking for a good protein powder to try! Glad your knee is not giving you trouble with this round of training!

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  17. I am coming up on my one year anniversary of being vegan and would love to try this out!

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  18. Sounds interesting and worth a try. I am not interested in vegan necessarily, but a good protein powder is hard to find.

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  19. I am actually trying out protein powders right now so this came at a perfect time. I just picked up a couple sample packets and am trying various ones this week. I would love to try the PlantFusion!

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  20. Sounds worth a shot. I'm all up for trying new stuff, you never know what you're gonna like!

    Question: I know this is kind of generalized and random, but I'm looking for help. How do you manage to get yourself up in the morning if you have an early run? I need some pointers. I want to run in the morning, but of course, I fail every morning.

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  21. i not vegan, however all protein powders are worth a try. its hard to find good ones.

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  22. I'd love to try this. Whey protein gives me an upset stomach and eggs are a no go as they upset my nursing daughter's tummy when I eat them!!

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  23. The lady at The vitamin Shoppe recommended these to me a while back and I've been meaning to try them! What a great idea to add cocoa powder to vanilla protein powder!

    Tori

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  24. Brittany from KansasAugust 28, 2012

    I would love to try the protein powder. I am always interested in finding new powders. It is interesting that it doesn't contain any of the things most powders do.

    Brittany sue

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  25. I'd love to try one! And that cookies n cream shake you made looks amazing? Where do you buy your xathan gum and guar gum? That's a great idea!!

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  26. This protein powder sounds delicious! I'd love to try out your shake recipe. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  27. I would love to try this PlantFusion. Why do you put xantham & guar gum in your shakes?

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    Replies
    1. It gives it a very creamy, thick texture--kind of like a milkshake ;)

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  28. Mmm sounds delish!!! Fingers crossed!!
    Taylor Kerby

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  29. chrissy792August 28, 2012

    I would love to try this! I love trying different kinds of protein powder! Thanks for the info Katie because this totally sounds like something I want to check out!

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  30. Sounds like something good to try!

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  31. I'd love to try some vegan protein powder! Never had any before.

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  32. I would love to try these! Always looking to try something new. It's a plus that they are vegan too! Yummy :-)

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  33. That shake sounds so good! I won't be entering the contest though. I don't like to "like" things that I've never seen or heard of! I know, I'm an odd one! I really wish I had a pool I could tread in or swim laps!

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  34. Love the idea of vegan but soy-free!

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  35. I love Plant Fusion. Drink it every morning. I am doing WW and in the process of trying to lose weight, so found it to be a great, high protein, breakfast treat. I make my morning shake with a frozen banana, some ice cubes, 2 TB PB2 - and either water to desired consistency or if I want it a little creamier, I use almond milk. Tastes like a chocolate peanut butter milkshake. Also have the vanilla that I use with frozen fruit, almond milk and ice cubes.

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  36. Lana's recipes have me drooling!

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  37. I would love to try this product too!

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  38. I would love to try this protein powder. I love that it is dairy free.

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  39. I could use a new protein powder! Yay for good tasting vegan options.

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  40. courtney pettyAugust 28, 2012

    I love the nutritional stats... and that it doesnt contain artificial sweeteners!

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  41. I would love to try a new protein powder, especially one that is dairy and soy free, my youngest is almost 2 and is allergic to soy and lactose intollerant..I have to only have shakes when she is sleeping or listen to the screaming because I can't let her have a drink...thanks for letting me know about it!

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  42. I would love to try this product---thanks for the chance!!

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  43. I currently use yellow pea protein powder for shakes, this would be good to try. I also have issues with whey & alot of other shake ingredients are gross! You should always investigate the source of protein in the shake.

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  44. I would love to try this because I can not have soy due to thyroid problems and have yet to find a good one with out it. I hate that I love soy products so much and can't have it. The way of the world sometimes I suppose :)

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  45. Sounds pretty good!! Would like to try!!

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  46. This sounds like a product I would be interested in trying.

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  47. Your cookies and cream shake sounds delicious! I'd love to try it out

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  48. I'd love to try this protein powder, your vanilla bean shake sounds great!

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  49. I would love to try this. I'm starting a weight loss program in September and I think this would be great!

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  50. I've been looking for a good, natural protein powder. I would love to try it! Thanks.

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  51. I liked them on Facebook. I have only tried two kinds of protein powders... the one from Curves and the one from Body by Vi. While both were okay, neither really worked for me so I would love to try this one. :)

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  52. The shakes you talk about sound good, but I've never really given them a try yet...and I really need to add more protein to my diet - so I'd like to give them a try :)

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  53. I've never tried this kind of thing, so I'm intrigued. Maybe I'll get lucky and get to try for free!

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  54. I'm always interested in trying new protein powders...This one sounds great - especially the vanilla bean flavor! I think I'll be trying this even if I don't win!

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  55. Lisa BuchananAugust 28, 2012

    I would love to win...I have never tried protein powders but really do want to! :)

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  56. I like PlantFusion on facebook and would love to try the vanilla bean! I hadn't thought of just adding cocoa powder to make chocolate :)

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  57. im a chocolate girl but that cookies & cream smoothie you made looks delish!

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  58. I make a protein drink every day so I'd love to try this!

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  59. I love Plantfusion, they are my favorite vegan powder so far.

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  60. Hmm I'd like to give this PlantFusion a try!

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  61. Looks tasty!
    Ann McKellar Hatch

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  62. This looks so good!
    -Andrea L. G.

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  63. I've never had any luck with protein shakes, would be great to try. Thank you, Carla P

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  64. I'd be happy to try out a new protein powder for my daily shakes!

    kcaliff

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  65. I've never had any luck with protein shakes, would be great to try. Thank you, Carla P

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  66. Liked on facebook, and would like to find a good protein shake.
    Jennifer Bass

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  67. I would love to try this! Thanks! Andrea K

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  68. I would love to give this a try! Thanks!

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  69. I'd love to try it. I've seen a lot of blogs reviewing this stuff and almost all of them gave good reviews. :)

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  70. Ooh, yum! I like them on Facebook.

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  71. pick me!!!

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  72. I like the idea of a vegetarian/vegan based protein powder. I haven't used protein powder in quite some time but I've come across a few interesting recipes which call for protein powder... I'd love to test this out!

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  73. They sound great! Would love to try it!

    Dede

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  74. My son is terribly under weight for 10 years old, barely 60 lbs, and his dr has him drinking a shake with protein powder every morning. He hates the taste of the current one and I would love to find something that tastes better.

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  75. I love protein shakes but since going vegan I haven't had one! These sound good!!

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  76. I would really like to win! The vanilla sounds delicous!

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  77. Rachel whittenburgAugust 28, 2012

    I have never tried a protein shake. I have always wanted to though! Sounds yummy!

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  78. I would love to try this protein mix! Thanks for the chance.

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I used to publish ALL comments (even the mean ones) but I recently chose not to publish those. I always welcome constructive comments/criticism, but there is no need for unnecessary rudeness/hate. But please--I love reading what you have to say! (This comment form is super finicky, so I apologize if you're unable to comment)

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