Monkey Shake Review, Coupon Code, and Giveaway!

“Well I am just a monkey man –
I’m glad you are a monkey woman too … “
- The Rolling Stones, “Monkey Man” (video after post)

This particular product review is one that I’m super happy to conduct … and one that I honestly thought I wouldn't get another chance to.

My relationship with Monkey Shakes goes back to when I first reviewed their products more than two years ago. I loved the company’s back story, their ambition to support a community of regular folks striving for healthy lifestyles, and owner Chris Hughes's commitment to providing high-quality nutritional products for endurance athletes. I became a monkey man right from the start.

Unfortunately, it takes a lot more than good intentions and a great product to make ends meet – and over the past couple of years, Chris had some health issues and other life challenges that made it impossible for him to continue the company he loved.  Last May he put the whole operation up for sale on eBay, and the odds of the company’s survival seemed bleak.

That’s why I was delighted to learn that today, the monkeys have a new home - and I can still be a monkey man! And after this post, at least three people will have a chance to become monkey men or women too … that’s right, we’re doing a giveaway. Read on, fellow monkeys.

The new owner of Monkey Shake is Corey Singletary, an endurance athlete who is maintaining the same overall business philosophy that launched the company: a dedicated guy with a food grinder, a product he believes in, and a desire to do right by his customers. He’s updated the website and revamped the packaging, but otherwise kept all the essential elements of the product intact.

They still include a Barrel of Monkeys toy - just like the old days!

Most importantly, the recipe hasn’t changed from the original formulation that I loved the first time I tasted it back in 2009. Basically, Monkey Shakes are a protein-rich powder that you blend with additional ingredients to create an “ultimate all-natural recovery shake” in a variety of flavors, limited only by your imagination. They normally come in sealed 2-serving bags, and are sold in 3-bag packs (6 servings total) for $14.99 – but between now and the end of the year, you can get a discount deal, and for the rest of this month you can get them at an even greater discount; I’ll explain all this shortly.  First, more about the product.

For optimum recovery, our bodies need timely nourishment, and the benefits of taking in protein after a workout are well-documented. However, Monkey Shakes take this strategy two steps further, by providing the proper ratio of carbs to protein for maximal nutrient absorption, as well as the right types of ingredients for optimal physiological benefit. There are also healthy dashes of essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and some fiber thrown in for good measure. All of the ingredients are 100% natural without any added flavors, sweeteners or anything else that comes from a lab. (If you want a more detailed explanation of all this, check out this page on the updated website.)

Monkey Shake ingredients; photo from company website

The best part is, the finished product tastes great. It comes in two base flavors, cocoa and vanilla, which you can then mix with any ingredients you want from your own fridge and cupboard. There are some recipe ideas on the website, but pretty much any fruit- or dairy-based formulation would work. My favorite combination is a Strawberry Honey Monkey - vanilla powder mixed with strawberries, milk, honey, and yogurt – but I’m also partial to Blueberry Monkeys and Peach Monkeys.

Sound good yet? Here’s where the news gets even better: there are three special promotional offers for Monkey Shakes available right now, and one very cool giveaway contest in conjunction with this review.

First, the promotions: between now and the end of the year, Corey is enacting what he calls "recession pricing"; instead of $15 for a 3-pack, he's selling them for $13, or a case of 15 bags (30 servings) for $62.  Also, from now until the end of November, you can use coupon code THANKS2011 to receive a “Buy 2, get one free” deal on standard 3-packs of either cocoa or vanilla flavors. On top of that, you’ll get an additional 25% off by entering coupon code RANDR25. So instead of getting 6 bags for 30 bucks at roughly $2.50 per serving, you get 9 bags for 26 bucks minus 25%, which is … well, this is getting complicated. Trust me, it's a killer deal.  Both of the coupon codes above expire on November 30th, so go here to get your monkeys on.

Finally, we’re also doing a giveaway to celebrate the return of the Monkeys. Leave a comment below this post to enter, and three winners will receive a free three-pack of their choosing; you can even get a combination of vanilla and cocoa flavors if that’s your preference. I’ll announce winners this Saturday evening, November 19th. Big thanks to Corey and the Monkey Shake company for sponsoring this promotion, and good luck to all you monkey men and women out there!

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The Rolling Stones, "Monkey Man" (click to play):





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