Wellness Rhi-flection: Viva Labs Organic

Earlier this year I had the pleasure of being contacted by a brand I'd worked with in the past and had a positive experience with, Viva Labs. I'd tried their oganic coconut oil and loved it. So when I was offered the chance to try some of their newest products I jumped at the chance since a couple were ones I'd been wanting to check out and another was one I was already trying to introduce into my health and wellness routine.

I received:

• Organic Chia Seeds
• Organic Cacao Powder
• Organic Maca Powder
• Organic Coconut Flour
• Organic Coconut Sugar

I was already a fan of chia seeds so they were my first product I busted open to try. I'll admit that I compared them to the bulk bin ones I already had from the local shop I like for stuff like this and I honestly couldn't tell the difference. Since they were actually comparable in quality the only real difference was the price. The local stuff is a little less in cost but I would still recommend Viva Labs' product because it comes in a reclosable bag. They're excellent in smoothies and I love chia pudding!

Next up I dove into the Maca because I'd read a lot about their hormone helping properties. Since undergoing sterilization last year my hormones have been completely out of whack and I've had crazy PMS and menstrual problems that I've never previously experienced. I found that it's rather nutty in smell and taste but that I honestly don't like it. Which means that it's one I hide in other foods to help me combat the hormone chaos. I found it hard to hide in smoothies but that when I make avocado-cacao pudding it adds only a subtle flavor that I can tolerate. I've been really happy with the results and will probably switch to it in tablet form if they ever offer it.

The cacao was next as I am obsessed with cacao's health benefits right now. Every single time I use it I feel good! I notice that just a teaspoon added to a cup of coffee (I like mine black) helps even out the energy boost. But when it all boils down it's pretty much the chocolate at heart which means it's great added homemade nut milk—if you follow this blog you've seen that already—and my favorite, avocado-cacao pudding! I've tried other brands and been happy but this one is crazy smooth and doesn't have the bitter, burned undertones others have had. I highly recommend it.

Coconut Sugar Ice Cream

I jumped on the coconut sugar right away because I wanted to see if it tasted like coconut. Since I like coconut I wouldn't have minded but for those who don't you'll be glad to find out it doesn't! I used it in so many things like coffee, smoothies, and even with cereal but the biggest hit was homemade ice cream that was literally just 3 cups of heavy cream and 3/4 cup of the coconut sugar. It is one of the most delicious things I have ever eaten. I will be purchasing it a lot just to make this recipe. It gives a carmel-like flavor that is stellar.

Lastly, I found myself stumped on what to do with the coconut flour. I've never worked with it before and most of the recipes I found weren't things I'd eat. Ultimately, I went with banana bread but found that it was way too dry, tasted like sand, and felt like eating sand. My recipe was obviously the problem because the flour is nice. It smells good and has a nice texture. I've been thinking I might try using it for making homemade popcorn shrimp or chicken.

Overall, I continue to be really impressed with the quality of each product I have tried from Viva Labs and I hope to get to explore more of their wellness options, in particular their Optimal Greens and their Magnesium have caught my eye.

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Notes: I received a sample pack of products in exchange for an honest review. All opinions here are my own and were not influenced by the complimentary nature of said items.