Best Vegan Protein Powders to Improve Athletic Recovery

When it comes to optimizing athletic recovery and performance, vegan protein powder has become a hot topic for discussion. Well known for offering a number of benefits ranging from higher protein absorption to dense amino acid profiles designed to repair muscles after exertion, vegan protein supplementation is a win for good reason. 

You just need to make sure that you’re consuming the right types, especially if you’re lifting heavy weights, going long distances, or exerting yourself physically while training or participating in sports.

Using vegan protein powder supplements for athletic recovery is particularly beneficial in runners and endurance athletes who want to recover faster from their training.

Certain types of vegan protein powders provide incredible benefits for athletes and sports enthusiasts seeking to maximize the results from their training. Below we share a few of these types (or characteristics) to look for in the best vegan protein powders to improve athletic recovery, as well as a few of our favorite products. 

Vegan Protein Powders Rich With Amino Acids

Arguably the most important aspect of high-quality vegan protein powders is those that offer rich amino acid profiles. Essentially, amino acids are the building blocks in protein that contribute to muscle repair. Not only do amino acids contribute to muscle growth and repair (particularly essential amino acids [EAA’s] and branch chain amino acids [BCAA’s]), but they also help prevent muscle loss or cannibalization, which is common in endurance athletes.

So if you consider yourself a high-level athlete, one of the most important qualities of a vegan protein powder supplement is ensuring the blend has a solid amino acid profile. A good way to know this is simply whether or not the product actually lists the amino acid contents on the label (as most products do not include these nutritional facts.) Some of the best vegan protein powder supplements are often the “sport” blends and cost slightly more than your average protein powder, but they’re worth it.

Vegan Protein Concentrates vs. Isolates

Another factor to consider when reviewing vegan protein powders is to consider the sources of protein and whether or not they’re concentrating or isolates. Concentrates are ideal in that they are proteins still in their natural form, only concentrated into powder. Isolates, on the other hand, have been introduced to the chemical processes in order to isolate the protein from its true source.

The issue with protein isolates is that these types are stripped of their true nutrient composition and don’t quite offer the same nutritional value as protein concentrates. And while this shouldn’t always be a deal-breaker (as some products will have a combination of vegan protein isolates and protein concentrates,) ideally you’ll want to stick to mostly concentrated proteins when supplementing with protein on a vegan diet.

Glutamine, Digestive Enzymes, Anti-Inflammatories & Other Nutritional Factors

Lastly, it’s important to take into consideration other nutritional variables found in vegan protein powders. When it comes to getting the most from your athletic endeavors, incorporating additional supplementation to fuel recovery and buffer inflammation can be beneficial

For instance, several vegan protein powder supplements on the market also contain digestive enzymes which help the breakdown and absorption of the proteins and amino acids. Some of the sport-centric vegan protein powders are infused with l-glutamine, which can help in muscle repair and growth. Additionally, some products contain concentrated cherry, turmeric, and other anti-inflammatory compounds.

From appetite-suppressing vegan protein powders for weight loss to green coffee bean extracts to increase metabolism, the list goes on as to what to look for in vegan protein powders. Just be sure to do your research and review the best vegan protein powder products thoroughly before spending your hard-earned money on these expensive supplements.

Garden of Life RAW Fit Protein Powder

RAW Fit from Garden of Life is an organic, raw, plant-based protein powder that contains a lot of clean, high-absorption protein sources – all of which are sprouted. It features unique blends for glucose management, probiotics, and enzymes. It also provides a good dose of Vitamin A, D, E, K, and magnesium. 

Garden of Life RAW Fit contains a Raw Certified Organic Weight Loss & Stress Management Blend. Along with these two features is Svetol®, an organic and naturally decaffeinated green coffee bean extract combined with ashwagandha. This blend helps stimulate metabolism and combined with protein, staves-off hunger. For more info, see a full RAW Fit review.

Vega SportProtein Powder

Vega Sport is a simple yet amino-rich mix that contains: pea protein, pumpkin seed protein, organic sunflower seed protein, and alfalfa protein. It has about 5 grams of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and anti-inflammatory powerhouses tart cherry, bromelain, and turmeric. In terms of branched-chain amino acids, it’s one the highest among vegan protein powders with BCAAs.

Vega Sport Protein powder is one of the most popular performance-centric products on the plant-based market. Designed for athletes looking to optimize post-workout recovery, Vega Sport Protein powder offers one of the highest concentrations of amino acids. In addition to other performance-enhancing ingredients like tart cherry and turmeric, Vega Sport protein has been developed to accelerate muscle repair, reduce recovery time, and get athletes back to their training, sooner. For more info, see the full Vega Sport review.

Garden of Life Raw Organic Protein

Garden of Life Raw Protein powder is universal for all walks of life. Whether for athletic recovery or a weight loss supplement, it’s equally as versatile as it is healthy. The product’s organic sprouted protein base, gut-friendly probiotics, and digestive enzymes blend make for a superior plant-based protein powder for both athletic recovery and general supplementation. 

Garden of Life Raw Organic Protein Plant Formula has approximately 4 grams of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and slightly over 8 grams of essential amino acids (EAAs). These numbers contend with some of the more advanced (and expensive) performance protein powders designed for athletes. So if you’re seeking vegan sport protein powder designed for optimal recovery and even muscle building, Garden of Life Raw Protein fits the bill. For more info, see the full Garden of Life protein review.

If you’d like further information on this subject and would like to check out these vegan protein powder reviews at VeganProteinPowder.reviews.

3 Best Triathlon Wetsuit Models for Elite Triathletes

When it comes to racing triathlon, there's no question that having a quality wetsuit can provide an advantage in the swim. Whether you're training for the Chicago Triathlon or Ironman Lake Placid, a wetsuit can be highly useful. But when it comes to finding the best triathlon wetsuit for you, it can be difficult to know where to look.

Fortunately, we've narrowed it down for you. Of all the triathlon wetsuit brands out there, there are a handful of winners that are worth checking out. To sum it up, below we feature five of our favorite triathlon wetsuit models, all of which are available in both men's and women's options.

For more information about these triathlon wetsuits as well as more options, visit this page at Better Triathlete.

ROKA Maverick Pro II

The second generation ROKA Maverick Pro II comes engineered with several patents designed to enhance freestyle swimming. The first is ROKA’s ARMS-UP™ design which allows unrestricted and highly-flexible shoulder mobility. The other patent is ROKA's RS2™ centerline buoyancy profile. This feature helps enable swimmers to actualize efficient body rotation, which is also critical for freestyle triathlon swimming.

The Maverick Pro II is made with the highest grade Yamamoto neoprene and is coated with a glide-optimized and highly-durable SCS nano-coating. What makes it one of the best triathlon wetsuits is its advanced buoyancy construction that improves streamlined body position as well as fast-release ankle slots for a fast transition from swim to bike.

No doubt one of the most comfortable and fastest triathlon wetsuits, you get what you pay for with Maverick Pro II. It is also why it comes at a premium price. See the men's and the women's directly from ROKA.com.

ORCA Apex Flex

The APEX Flex is one of ORCA's premium triathlon wetsuits that’s meticulously engineered for optimal comfort, mobility, flexibility, and speed. It has a thinner, more performance-oriented neoprene thickness but is also designed a titanium coating and compressive lining that allows for better thermal insulation.

More specifically, the ORCA Apex Flex uses Yamamoto 40 neoprene tech and Infinity Skin 2 lining, which offers a smooth surface for gliding in the water. In addition to optimizing mobility, this combination of premier wetsuit technology provides one of the best options for triathletes and the open-water swimmers.

As a more minimalist triathlon wetsuit, ORCA APEX Flex is a unique option. See the men's and women's at ORCA.com.

Blueseventy Helix

Blueseventy Helix is an elite-caliber triathlon wetsuit that’s carefully crafted for the best in buoyancy, swimming mobility, and easy removal. It's beautifully designed to displace more thickness and buoyancy in the mid-section and upper legs - all while making the shoulders and back thinner for added flexibility.

The Blueseventy Helix is well known as one of the best triathlon wetsuits with its intricately designed neoprene paneling and freestyle flexibility in the shoulders. The Helix highlights swimmers' range of motion and body rotation, which is supported via Blueseventy’s Torsion Stretch Technology (TST) and aids natural rotation.

The 7th-generation Blueseventy Helix wetsuit is not a cheap pick, but it provides high ROI for elite triathletes looking to maximize their performance. See both men's and women's triathlon wetsuits at blueseventy.com.

Buy the Best Triathlon Wetsuit for You

It's also worth noting that these 3 triathlon wetsuits are USAT and IRONMAN legal. Any generic wetsuit might not so keep these sanction rules in mind when doing such races. They are also great options for both sprint and IRONMAN triathlon distances.

There's a lot that goes into buying the best triathlon wetsuit for you. Fortunately, most models come in very specific sizing. So once you've narrowed your search to just 2 or 3 models, you can acquire and test the right size. If you're a competitive athlete, consider these picks when you upgrade your triathlon wetsuit.

Are Video Transfer Services from Walmart or Walgreens Legit?

When you are considering where to go to transfer your videos from older formats to DVD or digital files, you have options. More time often than not, specialized shops offer a personalized approach with an experienced staff and on-site video transfer services. However, many people look into larger retailers like Walmart and Walgreens for their video transfer needs.

While some of these services seem more convenient, are their capabilities, quality control, and customer service up to par? Let’s take a closer look at what Walmart and Walgreens offer in terms of video transfer services.

Walmart’s Video Transfer Services

You can order online or visit a Walmart location for their video transfer services. Walmart partners with the company YesVideo, which also partners with retailers like Bartell Drugs, Costco, CVS Photo, and Sam’s Club. So Walmart’s video transfers are sent to YesVideo to be processed, and in turn, Walmart is not responsible for the quality of the transfer.

For video transfers, Walmart can accept formats like VHS, S-VHS, Betamax, VHS-C, S-VHS-C, Hi-8, Digital8, 8mm, DV, DVCAM, MiniDV, and DVC formats. Walmart can provide you with a personalized DVD and copies with chapter menus and music video highlights, as well as an account with private online storage and sharing capabilities. However, you can only access your memories through their online application or the DVD you get from them.

At specialized video transfer stores, the company will usually accept all the same video formats as Walmart, as well as the addition of HDV and MicroMV. For instance, one store that provides video transfer in Atlanta is Current Pixel. They also provide a wide array of options when it comes to accessing your content, from personalized DVDs to digital files stored on USBs and CDs. In essence, such specialty providers take a more custom approach to ensuring the finished product is exactly what their customers need.

Walgreens’s Video Transfer Services

Walgreens can accept Betamax, VHS transfers, SVHS, VHS-C, 8mm, Hi8, Digital8, MiniDV, and Micro/Mini videotapes. You can customize your videos online with organizing, labeling, and editing before transferring to DVD or Blu-ray Disc or can have your videos transferred as-is.

You will also have the option to customize a DVD or Blu-ray menu with different chapters and index. You can view, edit, and share your videos online but can only do so free for 30 days. 

Walgreens partners with another major company called iMemories, which partners with other retailers like Best Buy, Kodak, and the UPS Store. So again, while Walgreens offers various options and custom features for video transfer, the level of customer service and communication may be limited given that it’s actually iMemories running the show.

Specialized Video Transfer Services

Though on the surface, Walmart and Walgreens offer similar services as specialized video transfer services, the personalized attention and face-to-face contact at such shops provide you with the best experience possible. In most cases, video transfer services are performed on-site at a local facility (not outsources) Further, the individuals handling the video transfer are experts, many of whom have decades of experience in the business.

Specialized video transfer shops typically do not outsource services to a third party, so you know your memories are safe in the hands of the right people. Even if you ship your videos to a shop, a representative with work with you individually to make sure you are informed of the status of your order every step of the way. 

In addition to video transfer services for DVDs and CDs, most companies provide you with digital files of your memories, so you can save them on your computer, edit, and share them for as long as you want. On the other hand, Walmart and Walgreens only allows you access to digital files of your memories on their applications, possibly for a limited time.

You Have Options

As you have seen, you certainly have options when deciding where to transfer your videos to digital. But when you’re thinking about where to turn, remember specialized, local video transfer services are often more competent, personal, and professional.

Image by Mike Mozart

Zinc Sunscreen Stick: Best Oxybenzone-free Sunscreen for Sports

With broad-spectrum, oxybenzone-free sunscreen being all the rave, there's no question that everyone needs protection from the sun's UVA and UVB rays. And beyond UV-ray protection, natural, mineral-based sunscreens are especially important for those who have sensitive skin.

Further, those who favor outdoor sports and spend long hours exposed to sun can greatly benefit from mineral sunscreens because they are naturally broad-spectrum. It's reasons like these that have made zinc sunscreen sticks so popular. Zinc stick sunscreen is mineral-based and broad-spectrum, so it provides reliable protection against the sun's harmful rays.

Whether you're riding bikes or going for runs, having sports sunscreen is crucial. So what's make zinc sunscreen sticks a great option for anyone looking for oxybenzone-free sunscreen? Below we go into greater detail.

Why Use Oxybenzone-free Sunscreen?

To begin, let’s take a look at why we have to protect ourselves from both UVA and UVB. The former stands for ultraviolet A (long-wave rays) and the latter – for ultraviolet B (short-wave rays). Although considered to be less intense than “B”, “A” type is more prevalent. As a matter of fact, UVA is associated with almost 95% of ultraviolet radiation, reaching the surface of our planed!

UVA was believed to be among the most influential factors for skin aging. However, recent studies have indicated a correlation between UVA exposure and keratinocytes skin cells damage. This may lead to a skin cancer and other issues with skin. And just as UVB rays, these rays are responsible for sunburns and skin reddening. As the word is, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

The issue with chemical sunscreens that contain ingredients like oxybenzone is that they're typically not 100% broad-spectrum, or fail to protect against UVA and UVB rays. This is why it's best to aim for mineral sunscreens that contain active ingredients like zinc, which are naturally broad-spectrum and provide reliable protection against UVA and UVB rays. For more insight, explore your options for oxybenzone-free sunscreen.

Why Opt for Zinc Sunscreen Sticks?

Luckily, protecting your skin from the sun is a finger-five exercise these days. The market is saturated with all kinds of sunscreen products in various capacities. Liquid, spray, cream – just make your choice! Mineral zinc oxide sunscreen sticks are relatively new, but they have already earned the loyalty of many individuals.  

Easy-to-carry and easy-to-use, zinc sunscreen sticks have made it into many bags and pockets, being also less messy, than some of its industry peers. It's an ideal choice for athletes, particularly those who are swimmers, runners, or cyclists. This is why zinc sunscreen sticks have become highly popular in the triathlon community as well as the ultra-distance cycling community like the gravel bike scene.

Without a doubt, these characteristics are highly important for people pursuing an active lifestyle. No wonder many manufacturers have already picked up the trend and released their versions of a handy aid.

A Closer Look at Zinc Stick Sunscreen

Apart from what we already know about sunscreen sticks (no-mess and trouble-free application), there are a couple of other assets to take a look at. They vary from brand to brand, but do quite a good job at all times. For instance, front-rank sunblock sticks are usually mineral-based, and they stay on the skin without getting absorbed much. As opposed to chemical substances, frequently used in various beauty products, this one treats sensitive skin gently and does not cause acne or irritation.

If the utmost care is exactly what your skin demands, you can be also looking at baby products. Yes, don’t be surprised, as it happens some of them have a truly outstanding protective ability, marked SPF 50+! Just as other decent sunscreens, these ones are hypoallergenic and naturally-sourced, which makes them a smart pick for a delicate skin.

Today both fashion and beauty would not let us compromise a sheer look even during exercise. For this purpose, you can find a stick, which is not only one of the best triathlon sunscreen, but a reef-safe foundation. Those come in a range of shades to choose from, so creating a sheer look is easy like never before. It is also water- and perspiration-resistant, so some jogging or beach games won’t be unacceptable.

If you have big plans for the beach, especially going swimming, there is an array of zinc sunscreen sticks knocking it out of the park with their superior water-resistance performance. Some of these products may have some tint to the sunscreen, however, they demonstrate exceptional delicacy and care for those with sensitive skin. Moreover, new generation zinc stick sunscreen can not only cope with extreme weather conditions, but it can be also applied… under the water, literally!

Dermatologist-recommended zinc sunscreen sticks are available in a couple of incarnations, which are comfortable to apply and to carry around. For example, if you want it to fit into your jumpsuit pocket, you can easily go for the SPF 50 Zinc Sunscreen Stick from SolRx. This zinc stick sunscreen is mineral-based, unpretentious, gentle and powerful, just the way it should be with the modern sunblock.

Actually, SolRx sunscreen sticks can go even further, shrinking to the size of lip balm, as every inch of our body needs to be protected properly. When choosing the most suitable option, make sure you have enough sunscreen with due regard to the length of your trip.

Naturally oxybenzone-free, zinc sunscreen sticks cover it all. To summarize, these sunscreen products are

• naturally broad-spectrum
• mineral-based
• delicate for sensitive skin
• water-resistant
• perspiration-resistant
• giving you shades options, in case you need that
• compact and easy to apply

And what’s even more important, they make it to the list of top summer necessities by protecting your skin effectively. Do have any favorite oxybenzone-free sunscreens or zinc sunscreen sticks? Let us know in the comments below!