Tuesday, June 16, 2015

REVIEW: Mamma Chia (& GIVEAWAY)

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to be able to stop by Mamma Chia and pick up a ton of goodies. I had been working with Miranda, the Community Manager, and since they are a local operation she told me to pop by and she'd show me around.


She loaded me up and I was so pumped to try everything that I had a hard time not busting into the yumminess on the drive home (even though it is only about 10 minutes from my house #ComeOnCarleeLetsHaveALittleSelfControl).

And this didn't even include the beverages that I already put in the fridge!

First, let's talk about about Mamma Chia.

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And in case you are unfamiliar with the little seed that is chia... Why do you need it and what are its magical powers?

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If they are good enough for super amazing long distance runners, they are good enough for me! Not to mention a vegetarian friendly form of Omega-3s, balanced dietary fiber, complete protein, antioxidants and minerals is ALWAYS welcome on my plate (or in my bowl or cup)!

The first product I tried were the "plain" organic black chia seeds (is it just me, or is it EVERY time I read the word chia I think "Ch-ch-ch-chia?!"). It seems as though you can sprinkle those little nuggets of goodness on just about anything. I have been adding them to my morning bowl of granola and yogurt, to my dinner salads, to my smoothies, to my cereal, to my peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, etc. Sort of like Frank's Red Hot, you can put this stuff on EVERYTHING! (I've even got the hubby sprinkling it on his food now! Guess we will need a new bag sooner than I thought!)

It may not look that appetizing, but let me assure you - IT IS YUMMY!

Sort of like a sesame seed 

BERRY FANTASTIC!

Adds a little crunch and lots of goodness to your sammy!

Well, if the chia seed are delish, it was time for me to start tasting the products with them IN it! Oh.... the Chia Vitality Beverages... I think they are my favorite!! They were just so yummy! I love the flavor combos. I know at first it can take some getting used to the consistence (I have a "texture thing", but can drink/eat this without any issue). I have tried a couple of the flavors before, but was stoked to try a few more. I have taken them to the beach to drink after a workout, on a walk around our complex with the pup, and in the car on the way to a community play. All of the flavors were DELISH, but I think the Blackberry Hibiscus may have been my favorite (although I am looking at our local stores to see if I can find the Pineapple Coconut because that sounds amazing too).





Next up, I decided to dive into the new Chia Granola (brought to the market earlier this year). I tried it both as a cereal and as an addition to my yogurt. I prefer the Cinnamon Pecan Clusters to the Wild Blueberry Clusters, but both were yummy (I think I like it mixed with yogurt more than on its own because the granola seems to have a less powerful flavor profile than other granolas I've had).

Random, but isn't the vinyl on our dinning room wall just the cutest?! ;)

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Scrum-didily-umptious! Like FO REALZ! 

Next up - Energy Beverages. Let me start this off by saying I gave up pop about 3 years ago (although I do get the craving every once in a while for an ice cold Diet Mountain Dew - oh, the sweet nectar). I never acquired the taste for coffee (my dad would take 2 Pepsis with him to work in the morning while I was growing up and we never even had coffee in the house). Also, I am not a tea drinker. I guess you can say H2O is the way to go. With that being said I was a little nervous about this drink. First, it has caffeine (naturally caffeinated, but still it's something my body isn't necessarily used to). Next, the energy comes from guayusa tea (pronounced gwhy-you-sa). Much to my surprise it wasn't as overwhelmingly "tea-y" :) Just like the bottle says "No jitters, no crash, just pure, clean energy." I have had the drinks during a morning Twitter chat, as a pick-me-up during an afternoon shift at work, and even on the way to an early morning race. I can definitely see this being a great addition to any athlete's fridge! (Hubby even mentioned he might be willing to swap coffee out for these, but I'm not holding my breath...)

Chillin' in the fridge

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Things necessary for a Twitter chat - hydration, fuel, as well as a
charged laptop and smart phone, not to mention fast fingers!

Some days you just need a little something extra to get you through an afternoon
shift at the office, am I right or am I right?! 

The last product in the cupboard were the Chia Squeezes. I love them! I had had a couple flavors before and knew I would love the others. They are so convenient and a delicious way to get powerful nutrients into your day. I grabbed a couple as a snack at work (on different days), threw a pouch into my purse while out and about, and the hubby and I even took some to Disneyland with us (I mean, first off they are yummy, but second off, have you seen the price of theme park snacks?! ALWAYS PACK YOUR OWN :)).

HOLY YUM!

My snack and hydration game is STRONG!

I mean, I guess you can say I was feeling a little blue ;)

Sometimes my stomach growls at Saturday night service, so I pack ahead!

Fit for a Princess (and her prince!)!

And although I'm sure you are happy living vicariously through me, I BET you'd like to try some of this deliciousness for yourself... AND NOW'S YOUR OPPORTUNITY! The WONDERFUL folks over at Mamma Chia have graciously offered up a PRIZE PACK for one lucky winner.


This Mamma Chia Giveaway includes a Sample Pack of Chia Squeezes, one bag of their Chia Granola, and three VIP beverage coupons (so you can pick up three drinks at one of your local retailers). UM, CAN YOU SAY AMAZING?! (I wish I could enter my own giveaways, because this is one I would want to win.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Enter early and often (some of the entries are available DAILY). This giveaway will run through Wednesday, June 24th at 11:59pm PST. I will contact the winner via email (using the email address listed through Rafflecopter) who will have 24 hours to respond and claim their prize. Also, the entries ARE verified, so please make sure you complete the task or I'll have to pick a new random winner.

52 comments:

ivieanne said...

I love Mamma Chia! I enjoy the drinks the most, but have never seen the granola!

Breathe Deeply and Smile said...

I love their products. I really like the gel squeezes!

Disney_Bride said...

I use chia seeds (ground and whole) a lot in my house. But Ive not tried any Mamma Chia products yet. That Blackberry Hibiscus sounds DIVINE!

Marlon @meinthebalance said...

I love Mamma Chia! I was first introduced to them at the Long Beach Marathon Expo in 2013 and I've been hooked since. At the OC Marathon Expo I tried some of the items from the Energy line... GREAT! I didn't realize that were based in SD County! That's awesome!

Unknown said...

I've never tried Mamma Chia, but I recently switched over to the HUMA chia seed gels for running and I LOVE them. I'm definitely a huge believer in chia as an energy source! I bet the squeeze packets would be PERFECT for hiking!

Mark Posey said...

I have not tried Momma Chia, but I would like to.

tooexcited said...

I would love to try the gel squeezes! Thanks for the giveaway!

KookyRunner said...

So far I've only tried their drinks but I'm a huge fan!

Unknown said...

I really want to try the granola!

- Judith

Tory said...

I love your blog Carlee! Thanks for sharing all of your awesome opportunities with us!

Lori Thornton said...

Mamma Chia just recently came into my life, and I feel better living a life with it now!

Stephen said...

Mama Chia is great! I put it in my dropbags on ultras.

Scarabocchio Girl said...

Very nice! I eat chia seeds every morning in my breakfast, or I use them when I make some smoothies :) Healthy and good! Can I participate even if I come from Italy?

FluffytoHealthy said...

would love to try a chia squeeze!!

Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes said...

OMG, I love Mama Chia...both the drinks and the squeeze pouches. I've never seen the granola before!

Jen F. said...

I would try the squeeze pouches! My husband and I are going on an 8 week road trip and that would be great for hiking!

Jenny said...

I'd love to try the Chia Squeezes!

Unknown said...

Thanks for the review, I'm definitely going to check our local stores to see if they carry these MammaChia products. I would love to try the Chia Energy drinks ~ Pineapple Coconut sounds so yummy!

Unknown said...

Love chia seeds! May have to pick up some Chia Squeezes for my trip to Disney in July! Great idea!

CaitlinAckerman said...

I love the Strawberry banana squeeze especially over a bowl of oats in the morning or over plain greek yogurt!

caroline said...

I have not tried them myself, but love the convenience of the squeeze packs!

Hilary said...

The Chia Squeezes look so good! (also, yay for a giveaway that applies in Canada!)

Unknown said...

Never tried these! The drinks sound delicious though.

Renae said...

I sprinkle chia seeds on my salads and other food, but have never ventured to the other options. I think the energy drink would be awesome to try!

renata said...

I've never tried these before and I'd love to taste the Strawberry Banana Chia Squeeze pack!

Unknown said...

I have not tried these products before. I'd like to try the squeeze snacks as it's a great think to throw in the bag for a snack on the go it seems!

Mom Knows Best said...

I have not tried these they look so yummy.

Lindsay W said...

What a great giveaway! Thanks so much!!!

Amy Lauren said...

I haven't tried these but I would love to try the drinks.

Ken C said...

Not yet, but I would love to try the Energy Beverage Blackberry Blast

Unknown said...

I've loved the pouches and would to try some others!

Kimberly said...

I haven't tried this brand yet, but it looks like one I would really like. I think the granola would be my favorite. One of my favorite quick snacks is a shot of granola. :)

Fiddlin' Dandi said...

I have tried the Vitality Drinks before and they are so good!

Unknown said...

I would love to try the Wild Blueberry squeeze.

Unknown said...

The Mango is my favorite! I love Mamma Chia and need to make a point to go up and visit their headquarters since I'm local too.

Momma Darby said...

I have tried them! I LOVE the drinks! :)

Wendy ArtsyChaos said...

I have not tried these. The drinks and the granola sound good.

Unknown said...

I've never tried a Mamma Chia product, but heard a lot about them. I would love to try the strawberry banana vitality snack.

Sarah Says said...

I love Chia seeds in my yogurt!

Carleeh said...

Hi Carlee! I am a tad bit of a mammachia junkie! I use the chia seeds, vitality beverages, the squeezy packs, and the chia clusters!!!

Lately I have been loving the mammachia vanilla almond clusters on my Smoothie bowls or in snack packs for the kids!
My fave squeezy is the greens!! My fav beverage is the cherry limeade! !! Yummmm

Ruth C said...

Have not tried Mam Chia products yet but would like to try the enrgy drinks. I have a V8 energy drink before my long runs. Always looking for healthy products

laroyal said...

no, I haven't tried any but seem them in the store and I've been meaning to get some! I love chia so I'm sure I'd be into them1

Julie said...

I have not tried them before

Unknown said...

I've never tried Mama Chia before, but am really looking forward to giving the squeeze pouches a try :)

Lauren said...

I've not tried them, but the drinks look good.

Benton said...

Mama Chia is so good! Love the mango squeeze packs

Shannon said...

I LOVE chia! I've tried their squeeze packs and the drink (just not the new energy ones). I'd love to try those and the granola!

Running In Boise said...

I like chia but never tried mama chia

blew415 said...

I have not tried these.

Erika said...

I'm most interested in the drinks

Emily N. said...

I haven't tried them yet, but the drinks sound good.

Farrah said...

I had their coconut mango drink and loved it! <3 Definitely would love to try their other ones!