NEW YEAR, NEW YOU!
It's a wonderful New Year and that means renewed passion with health & fitness goals! As a certified sports nutrition specialist, I whole-heartedly understand that your nutrition needs are not one-size-fits-all … One of the many reasons I started Creation Nation - so you can eat Protein Bars, Energy Bites and Bliss Balls as unique as you are!
Personalized nutrition allows you to take control. And since our mixes are no-bake, minutes to make, there are no excuses not to enjoy the self care you deserve. Our empowering Protein Bar Mixes allow you to personalize any recipe to be Vegan, Paleo, Keto, Whole30 etc, plus add an extra boost by adding your favorite supplements! Use capsules? No problem, just pop ‘em open and mix the contents into your delicious recipe (based on 8-12 servings).
BONUS: Want to know which diet will give you the results you want? Check out this guide from mindbodygreen by Amy Shapiro, M.S., R.D., CDN.
Here’s a list of our top supplements for giving your creations a BOOST:
-
Enzymes – think papaya and pineapple (aka bromelain). Activate your bars with these tasty enzymes to aid digestion on the go, built right into your breakfast or snack
-
Marine Collagen – this building block enhances your skin, hair, nails, bones, muscles, ligaments and joints, as well as supports healthy digestion and restores gut health.
-
Charcoal – activated charcoal helps to remove toxins from the body that can lead to allergic reactions and poor immune system function. Get a detox boost by adding charcoal powder or opening up capsules.
-
Lysine – with a slightly salty taste, this essential amino acid supports collagen and gut health, and increases the body’s ability to absorb calcium. It also balances Arginine intake and can be anti-viral. We like it best with our chocolate flavors.
-
Probiotics – whether you use your favorite brand of capsules or go-to yogurt, probiotics have an array of benefits including boosting the immune system, improving digestive function and healing inflammatory bowel conditions such as IBS. Try adding your favorite yogurt + coconut oil to our protein bar mixes for insanely delicious nutritious probiotic bars
-
Creatine – boost your workout by helping muscle cells produce more energy, improve high intensity exercise performance, and increase muscle growth. Creatine may also lower blood sugar levels, improve brain function, and reduce fatigue. Talk about gains!
-
Glycine – with a mildly sweet taste, this essential amino acid is crucial for building collagen. It can help lower symptoms in people suffering from conditions like ulcers, arthritis, leaky gut syndrome, and diabetes. Additionally, glycine may improve sleep quality and help build lean muscle mass. Great for post workout bars!
-
Superfood Powders and fresh fruit – the selection of antioxidant-rich superfood powders you can add to your mixes is almost as vast as the number of fresh fruits. Just about any fruit or fruit puree will work splendidly with our mixes. Some of our favorites are mashed banana, applesauce, and avocados. As for superfoods --- we suggest trying any of your current go-to powders to start with, and venture out from there. Some of our favorites: Acai berry, Goji berry, Spirulina, and Maca
-
Adaptogens – how about a snack that helps you deal with stress and fatigue on those crazy work days? Adaptogens work to regulate the body’s hormones so you’ll have better mental focus, a boost to the immune system and a balanced mood. Talk about Bliss Balls! Some emerging adaptogens you may be familiar with include Ashwagandha, Schisandra, Rhodiola, Toca, Ginseng, Maca, Amla, Holy Basil and Curcumin.
-
More Herbs, Roots & Mushrooms 🍄 – ever thought to use any of these when you #HackYourSnack? Nutrient and mineral rich plants such as Reishi, Pine Pollen and Chaga have an array of Baller benefits like relieving stress, boosting the immune system, and enhancing endurance and energy. Four Sigmatic is a great source for all things shroom powdered.
- CBD Oil - we haven't yet tried this but hear it's best enjoyed in our Energy Bite Mix "Cocoa for Coconuts"
Use our handy list as a guide but always check with your health care provider before introducing new supplements to your system. We want to help you bring your DIY Protein Bars, Balls and Bites to the next level. If you have any specific questions please send us an email.
As always, we LOVE seeing what kind of recipes YOU create! Share your CREATIONS with us using #HackYourSnack or #ProteinBarMix
Happy New Year and Always! Let's raise the bar & have a ball, Karen
Photo: Melissa Hanson, Health Coach Instagram.com/melissa_hanson
