The MCA Memorial Monkey Shake Promotion and 30-Bag Giveaway!

"Monkey tastes def when you pour it on ice -

Come on y'all it's time to get nice ... "

- Beastie Boys, "Brass Monkey" (video after post)

Two quite unrelated topics today - one sad, one happy - that I'll try to combine in some sensible manner by the time we're done ...

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First, the sad part, which is belated news from earlier his month:  RIP, Adam Yauch.  And most likely, RIP Beastie Boys.  I'm almost ashamed to admit how profoundly sorrowful I was to hear about MCA's passing, but I can't tell you how many hours I spent memorizing lyrics from Licensed To Ill, or how many times the Beasties' distinctive combination of humor and hip-hop brought a smile to my face in the years since their debut album.

Anybody remember the flip side of this cover?

Intellectually, it doesn't make sense that I'd be sad about a rap singer who died too soon - an occurrence that happens so often as to be cliché.  Perhaps there's something about being obsessed with a band at a formative age that makes the attachment more heartfelt than it would later in life; if that's the case, my 15-year-old self spinning Licensed to Ill over and over again would make me the perfect candidate. 

However, I think there's another element of Yauch's death that hits closer to home: mainly, he had become just a regular guy.  As he grew older, Yauch left the insane hip-hop miscreant persona of his youth behind, and became a family man concerned with providing for his loved ones and doing his part to serve the greater societal good.   And it wasn't a rap squabble that brought him down - it was cancer, which cuts the lives of most victims far too short, usually for no reason at all.  So maybe there was something in his transformation from basic idiot to respectable, vulnerable person that I identified with. 

Whatever the case, he'll definitely be missed.  Like a lemon without a lime, a lime without a lemon.

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On to our good news for the day, which is courtesy of the Monkey Shake company I've endorsed a few times in the past.  They have a cool promotion going on this month, and they're also offering a killer contest prize for one of my readers.

  

Here's the promotion, which we'll call the Tuesday Special: for the rest of the month May, if you buy any two items in the Monkey Shake store on a Tuesday, you'll get a third item for free.  All you have to do is put three items in your shopping cart, and if it's a Tuesday, the discount will automatically be applied.  

And if you'd rather take your chances with a contest entry, we've got a tempting one: this weekend, I'll award a huge 30-serving bag of Monkey Shake original mix to one lucky reader chosen from the comments section below. 

Monkey love!

The company was kind enough to provide me with one of these bags a few weeks back, and it's been one of my key refueling strategies during the high-volume training weeks of my early season ultras.  If there's a better post-20-miler recovery drink than Monkey Shake with yogurt, banana, frozen berries, honey, and orange juice, I haven't tasted it.  Like the Beasties said, Monkey tastes def when you pour it on ice ... or on frozen berries, as the case may be.

The ground rules for this one are that I'm making the contest entry process a Beastie Boys / MCA memorial.  To enter, leave your favorite Beastie Boys lyric in the box below - and you'll get two entries if it's a line by MCA.  I'll announce the winner next Saturday, May 19th - but remember to shop at the Monkey Shake store on Tuesdays throughout the month as well, because there's only one winner for this thing.

Special thanks to the Monkey Shake company for this contest, and good luck to everybody.  I think you know what time it is - it's time to get ill in the comments!

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Beastie Boys, "Brass Monkey" (click to play):

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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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Running Life Book Review; Monkey Shakes for Sale; Random Shots of Beauty

A couple of quick announcements – one happy, one sad - before this weekend’s regularly scheduled RSOB:

First, the good one: Jennefer from a website called Good Reads published one of the best reviews I’ve seen of my Running Life book - a review that you can read right here. Also, in an effort to sell off our own supply of the book more rapidly, Mike and I have decided to keep the discounted price permanent on our dedicated Running Life website. It’s now cheaper on our site than on Amazon.com, and we’re happy to oblige specific requests for signed copies or anything else you like. Get your copy now, just in time for summer reading season.

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The next announcement was a complete bummer to me: the Monkey Shake company that I've reviewed and promoted in the past is probably going out of business in the very near future. Owner Chris Hughes distributed an e-mail to his supporters announcing that life events have prevented him from continuing normal business operations.

He’s putting the business up for sale dirt cheap on eBay, where anyone with an entrepreneur's heart, some e-commerce and marketing skills, and an appreciation for the nutritional needs of endurance athletes could potentially build the brand into something huge. His request to us was, if you know of anyone who's a little crazy (visionary), has a lot of energy, and a little bit of cash, have them check out the offer on eBay.

Who knows – maybe you’ll be the next nutritional rags to riches success like the CLIF company. Chris is a great guy, and Monkey Shakes are an awesome product, so I hope this whole situation works out well for everybody involved.

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This weekend’s Random Shots of Beauty come from the Salinas Valley, where my favorite agricultural season, the strawberry harvest, is in full swing:

(Click to enlarge)

Seeing workers in the fields is always a stark reminder for me that the simple pleasures I enjoy don’t come without a cost. I’ve written about this before – and whenever I run past the laborers in the campos, I feel almost guilty with gratitude for the blessings I’ve been given.

Also, in honor of the holiday weekend, and continuing on the same theme of good things that come with a cost, here’s one more shot from a Salinas farm stand:

Because freedom isn’t free ... and many have paid the greatest price of all in protecting it.



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Monkey Shake Winners

All right, monkeys ... the weekend's starting off on a good note for five lucky winners of the Monkey Shake giveaway.

As I mentioned, my 6-year-old daughter sat on the selection panel, and the first four places were unanimous: they went to Dug Deep, Mike, Spokane Al, and Shel. The final spot was a three-way dead heat, so I let my girl cast the deciding vote for Josh. Send your addresses to me at info@runningandrambling.com, and I'll get you on the list to receive your six-pack of Monkey Shakes.

Congrats to all the winners, and thanks to everyone who played. That was fun. And special thanks to 10:10 Wellness for providing such a cool giveaway opportunity.

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Monkey Shake Coupon Code and Giveaway!

“Love me baby, love me baby –
Shake me like a monkey baby –
And forever I’m yours, yours, yours, yeah!”
- Dave Matthews Band, “Shake Me Like a Monkey” (video after post)


Even with the amount of new gear and products I’ve been fortunate enough to test over the past couple of years, sometimes it’s nice to keep going back to something that works for you.
That’s exactly what happened after I reviewed a product called Monkey Shakes last year: I continued to purchase them after my free sample supply ran out, and I’ve gradually made my way through two more full shipments over the course of several months. It’s a product I’ve come to love – and this week, it’s also a product I’m thrilled to give away.

Monkey shakes!

If you’re wondering what the heck I’m talking about, feel free to read my initial review, and I’ll give you a quick recap here. Monkey Shakes are all-natural high-protein recovery mixes featuring chia seeds, vitamins and antioxidants (for the super long explanation, click here) that you blend with milk, frozen fruit, juice, peanut butter, or any other ingredients you choose (recipe suggestions are included). They are sold in two-serving packets, but can also be scooped into your normal smoothies in place of regular protein powder.

So, yes … it’s basically a super-fancy milkshake, but I was also drawn to the 10:10 Wellness company, who manufactures the shakes, and who have a mission and values that I feel good about supporting. They encourage people to lead active, athletic lifestyles through training partnerships, and they openly promote the spiritual component of general wellness and healthy living.

Also, each of my shipments came with a hand-scribbled thank you note, and one of those little curvy-armed monkeys from the old Barrel of Monkeys game. Clearly this is a company that’s easy for me to identify with.

Monkey love

(And apparently the feeling is mutual, as I’ve recently been beknighted as a 10:10 Wellness SpokesMonkey. At least, I’m pretty sure that’s meant as an honor.)

When I reviewed them last year, the company was working on something of a shoestring, a point that was most apparent in the product packaging. I kind of teased them about this, and they responded by raising their game and providing factory closed resealable bags for all orders. They also expanded the product line to include Chocolate Monkeys. My preference is still for the vanilla flavor, because it goes best with the fruit smoothies I most frequently blend – but if you like a good chocolate milkshake every now and then, you can add a lot of nutritional value to it with a little bit of monkey mix.

Vanilla and chocolate monkeys

Monkey shakes come in 2-serving bags, and are priced at $15 for three bags, or $68 for a 15-bag (30 serving) case, with chocolate monkeys a few bucks more expensive than the regular vanilla flavor. Since I’m now a spokesmonkey, I get to pass along some monkey love to my readers: if you purchase them from the 10:10 Wellness site, enter coupon code monkeydonald (cute, huh?) into the coupon box for a 10% discount. (Note - this is a different coupon code than was used for my initial review. Use this new one, monkeys.)

However, if you’re lucky – and a bit creative - you can try some Monkey Shakes for free. The company has generously offered to provide a six-pack of either chocolate or vanilla flavor shakes to FIVE lucky winners chosen from the comments section below. However, since this giveaway is so cool, I’m tinkering with the normal rules a bit: instead of just drawing commenters at random, I’m going to be subjective about who wins.

I’m assembling a selection panel - likely to include at least one of the elementary school-aged girls I live with - and we’re awarding extra points for creativity, so your task is to dazzle us. Anything related to monkeys will score extra points. Jokes, witty remarks, goofy haiku, or anything else that makes us laugh will score extremely high. Remember, this is monkey business we’re talking about, so feel free to go bananas.

Good luck, have fun, and I’ll announce winners on Friday night!

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Speaking of fun and creative: one of my favorite tracks from the latest DMB disc seems more than appropriate here.

Dave Matthews Band, “Shake Me Like a Monkey” (click to play - and scroll through about 90 seconds of intro):

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Monkey Shake!

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
- John 10:10 (New International Version)

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I know, I know - that’s a pretty ambitious quote attached to what’s essentially a review of milkshakes … but the scripture verse is at the heart of 10:10 Wellness's mission in the endurance sports community.

The company’s primary objective is to lead people into healthy lifestyles and activities they can get excited about. Their model is to recruit new athletes like Team in Training, give them guidance like an online coaching service, encourage and support them like a favorite running or tri-club, participate in races together like a group of friends, and provide them with good products like the best online vendors.

That last point is where today’s product comes in, as Monkey Shakes are the most notable offering from their (otherwise, somewhat limited) product line. 10:10 Wellness provided me with some of these shake mixes last month, and I’ve been enjoying them on a regular basis. They’re designed as a recovery drink to replenish the body after a tough workout. (However, they taste good enough that I had them on days when I hadn’t even worked out – I figured that wouldn’t disqualify me from doing the review.)


My shipment arrived with a nice handwritten note, and one other sweet touch: See that red thing in the picture?


It’s a monkey! From the old Barrel of Monkeys game, remember? Very retro-cool.


Aside from the monkey, there’s not much to the packaging for these things … or, as my wife asked, “You’re going to eat some mystery powder that a complete stranger from the Internet stuffed into a Ziploc bag?” I find it very hard to argue with her logic sometimes. She wasn’t even reassured by the little red monkey. At least I could claim that your money isn’t going to a fancy production process when you buy from 10:10 Wellness.

As far as what’s actually in the bags … that’s where things get complicated. Monkey shakes provide your body with all the macro nutrients you need - carbs, protein, and fat - plus vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and even some fiber. They are truly natural products without any artificial flavors or sweeteners.

Carbohydrates are in the form of 100% rolled oats, ground into a powder for a smooth base. The protein component is whey protein isolate which is easily digested and provides more nutritional bang for your buck than just about any other form. They also include another type of whey protein called RenewPro that is an antioxidant booster. Monkey Shakes come with a “secret weapon” in the form of chia seeds, a dietary staple of Southwest Native Americans. You probably know them better as the building blocks of Chia Pets, but these seeds have tremendous nutritional and medicinal properties.

Ch-ch-ch-Chia!

(By the way, if you want an extremely thorough look into the thought process behind selecting each of these ingredients, and the health-related benefits of each one, it’s right there on the 10:10 Wellness site. If you thought I was long-winded, you really need to check this out.)

So the resulting ingredient cocktail is chock full of wellness potential … but how does it taste?

There’s an information sheet in each shipment of Monkey Shakes, providing nutritional details and five recipes for different Monkey varieties. Most of the recipes call for peanut butter, which I only used once in fear of burning up my less-than-industrial grade blender. If you’ve read this blog for a while, you already know which flavor I tried first:


Strawberry Monkey: Frozen strawberries, frozen bananas, milk, and monkey shake mix. It was awesome. I also made a Blueberry Monkey and a Peach Monkey according the instruction sheet – very delicious as well.

I typically make fruit juice smoothies at home rather than milkshakes, so I also tried the Monkey Shake mix in one of my regular berry smoothie recipes, substituting a couple scoops of Monkey mix for the protein powder I normally use. It worked just fine in this regard as well, and this might be a way to make your supply of Monkey Shake ingredients last longer than the indicated usage.

It’s a point worth mentioning, because this Monkey stuff isn’t exactly dirt cheap. Under the normal recipe guidelines, a single Ziploc bag contains two servings, and a 15-bag (30 serving) case normally sells for $68.00 on the 10:10 Wellness site. That works out to about $2.25 a serving, which seems like a lot at first, but is still a lot cheaper than what you’d spend for something comparable at Jamba Juice. Considering the high quality ingredients, that seems like a pretty fair price. (Another option for a smaller order is 3 bags for $15.00, which is slightly more expensive on a per-unit basis.)

Actually, the bargain gets better for my blog readers: there’s a coupon code set up on the website for Monkey Shakes or anything else from the 10:10 Wellness site: if you enter "runningandrambling" (no quotes) into the discount/coupon box at checkout, you'll get a 10% discount.

So to summarize: Good company, great product, fantastic nutrition, and a pretty attractive deal to buy some. Maybe it’s time to bring a little monkey into your life.

See previous product reviews on sidebar at right. If you have a product you'd like reviewed, contact me at info@runningandrambling.com.

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