Blogging By Cyrese: Shake It Up!
Current mood: satisfied

If you've been following my eating behaviors for the past few years, you may remember a stint I did over a year ago in an attempt to really downsize my eating by substituting unnecessary meals with protein shakes. I had an amazing level of discipline for some reason at that time and leaned up like nobody's business in just a month or two. Now that I'm attempting another stab at whipping my body back into shape, I'm finding it more difficult to curb those cravings. One of my weaknesses, of course, is for Starbucks products. Nothing quite like 'em!

One of the products introduced by Starbucks most recently are the Vivano shakes: ice, protein powder, a banana, and your choice of a concentrated Odwalla fruit juice or chocolate. With my previous experience with testing out numerous types and brands of protein powder, I really had to sample this new treat. Because it's a Starbucks product, I knew it had to taste good. Otherwise, their standard customer base wouldn't buy.

Both of the shakes are low in calories, fat, and carbs. They have to be the healthiest and most wholesome of the drinks served at the retailer. If you're looking for a quick meal replacement and have a good amount of appetite control, or if you're hungry and looking for a good item to hold you over until you can find a suitable meal that ties in with your diet, this is an excellent product.

One of the things that many consumers don't realize is that you can purchase the Starbucks bottles of syrup directly from them. Just because they're not out on the shelves with pricing stickers on them, doesn't mean they won't sell them to you. One bottle of any flavor (regular or sugar free) is just under seven dollars. If you want to make some drinks at home to shave down some excess spending, it's easy to spice up some of your own drinks at home by using these syrups. If you're worried about how to measure the syrup, go ahead and grab a couple of shot glasses from them also. They retail at two shot glasses for about five dollars. One shot glass (one ounce) of syrup is the equivalent of two pumps of syrup. A grande sized Starbucks drink would be two shots of syrup.

The syrups are also available to purchase online. One of the benefits of an online purchase is the bottle comes equipped with a pump, just like in the store. The cost for the online bottle with pump is $10.95 each. When I visited the site, they did not have Sugar Free Cinnamon Dulce (or even the standard Cinnamon Dulce), the Sugar Free Caramel was out of stock, and you are required to purchase at least two bottles of syrup per order. I did a test order on the site for two bottles, and the shipping was $6.99 for the slowest possible delivery using UPS. The other delivery options were expedited and cost $17.57 and $35.72. Can you say "ouch"?!

This weekend I bought a blender and tried an experiment. I wanted to make my own Vivano-type drink to see if I can get the Starbucks taste that I constantly crave, but restrict my calories using the shake powder that I'm used to. Here's what went into the blender:

2 cups ice
1 cup 2% milk
2 packets equal
1 shot Starbucks Sugar Free Cinnamon Dulce syrup
1 scoop GNC brand vanilla flavored Soy Protein 95 powder

This is so tasty! Even if you had to customize your drink at Starbucks, I'd say order a Vivano but just ask for the milk, ice, banana, protein powder, 2 equal, and 2 pumps of the sugar free cinnamon dulce syrup. It's so tasty! If you're someone that really is looking for some power flavor, go ahead and request 4 pumps of the syrup. Because the drinks were just introduced within the past few weeks, there really aren't many daring ways to customize the drink just yet. Because the drink is almost $4 for a grande (the only size the beverage is currently offered in), I think most consumers would be worried their drink would turn out tasting like crap and they're not interested in tossing out $4 for the sake of an experiment.

For my little at-home blend (without any banana), it still came out pretty thick and hearty. To make the shake beefier, try adding an extra scoop of the protein powder. When it was all blended up, the drink was a little larger than a Venti size. Here's what the caloric/ fat content came out to:


260 cal
35 fat calories

4 g fat
1.5 g saturated fat
19 g carbs
17 g sugar
36 g protein



With this new discovery, I'm sure I'll be able to attack the weight I need to drop without much self control, especially now that my main temptation to cheat is eliminated. I'm really excited to start experimenting with the different sugar free flavors. The other syrups with the most potential look like Sugar Free Caramel, Sugar Free Hazelnut, and Sugar Free Vanilla.

Currently listening : Loose By Nelly Furtado Release date: 2007-11-27

2:50 AM - 2 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Read My Blog!: A Link To The Past/ The Faux-Ex
Category: Romance and Relationships

There are some dating experiences I'd rather not repeat.  There are others I'd kill to have the chance to re-live with my newfound dating wisdom.  I certainly don't have the same perspective on dating and relationships now as I did when I was 18... Or 20... Or 22.  It always tugs at my heart when I bump into someone who looks just like an ex, especially one I made some poor decisions with.  My heart stops, I clam up, and the guy who always has a witty comment for any occasion is at a loss for words.  It's like my mistakes in previous relationships are paying me a visit.  When this breed of "faux-ex" starts conversation with me though, I'm all messed up.

To continue reading, click on the following link:

Read My Blog!: A Link To The Past/ The Faux-Ex

Currently listening : Schizophrenic By JC Chasez Release date: 03 November, 2003

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Read My Blog!: Old Friendships, Relived
Category: Friends

Three years passed and many miles traveled, an old friend and I manage to do what long-lived friends do best:  simply be good friends.  We had a rough falling out three years ago, but a little courage and a Myspace message reveal our differences don't need to keep us apart and through time we out-grow our old behaviors.

To continue reading, click on the following link:

Read My Blog!: Old Friendships, Relived

Currently listening : My December By Kelly Clarkson Release date: 26 June, 2007

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Read My Blog!: 11 Year Old Cyrese: The Original Hustler
Category: Blogging

It's true.  When I was 11 years old, I was THE hustler.  My family was really hurting for cash when I was growing up, so I had to be inventive with methods of coming up with extra cash to buy things like comic books and video games.

To continue reading, click on the following link:

11 Year Old Cyrese: The Original Hustler

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Read My Blog!: Reel Pride Night Out: Naked Boys Singing
Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities

Sure, there's an appeal in seeing a cast of naked, ripped men singing and dancing.  But, really… are you anticipating seeing Thunder From Down Under, or a true-to-form musical?

To continue reading, go to the following link:

http://queernetworks.typepad.com/queerfresno/2007/11/reel-pride-ni-1.html

Currently listening : Freeek 1 By George Michael Release date: 09 April, 2002

11:32 AM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Read My Blog!: When Will I Learn?
Category: Romance and Relationships

Two months out of a rocky relationship and dead in the middle of the holiday season, it's tough to fight picking up the phone and dialing my ex.  I'm in a city I haven't claimed as my own and with no family I can truly call my own as well.  I made the mistake of trying to patch things up, again, with someone I'm not even remotely compatible with.  What's my problem?  When am I going to learn?!

To continue reading, go to the following link:

http://queernetworks.typepad.com/queerfresno/2007/11/when-will-i-lea.html

Currently listening : Schizophrenic By JC Chasez Release date: 03 November, 2003

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Read My Blog!: Greg Ramirez, You’re My Hero!
Category: Fashion, Style, Shopping

When you've had a poor experience with a hair stylist, it's not something you live down.  You direct your friends, family, and complete strangers in the opposite direction of the stylist that botched your hair.  Greg Ramirez, of Stone Fox Salon (559.348.8164), saved me from my previous unprofessional experiences and introduced me to a higher standard of hair styling quality.

To continue reading, click on the following link: 

http://queernetworks.typepad.com/queerfresno/2007/11/greg-ramirez-yo.html

Currently listening : It’s You, It’s Me By Kaskade Release date: 18 March, 2003

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Read My Blog!: Beauty Is In The Eye Of The Beholder
Category: Romance and Relationships

I haven't really given the cliché much consideration until very recently.  I was at breakfast with a friend of mine when he made a comment.  "You know, I realize now why I can't seem to find a guy in Fresno.  It's 80% Hispanic and I only date white guys."  For a second, I had to look at my own skin just to make sure he knew who he was speaking to.  Although I have no romantic interest in this friend, it was still a bit insulting for him to think I'd be the person to voice his comment to.

To continue reading, click on the following link: 

http://queernetworks.typepad.com/queerfresno/2007/11/beauty-is-in-th.html

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Read My Blog! : To Whip, Or Not To Whip
Category: Food and Restaurants

When it comes to high priced consumer products, how picky do we deserve to be?

To continue reading, click on the following link:

http://queernetworks.typepad.com/queerfresno/2007/11/to-whip-or-not-.html

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Read My Blog! : Benefits
Category: Jobs, Work, Careers

It's that time of year again for most of us in the workforce: open enrollment.  There are some common misconceptions about 401K and medical benefit elections.  If you're reading this saying, "I don't need benefits this year..." Or "I know what benefits I normally get, but my options changed this year…", you should definitely read this.

Click the link to continue reading:

http://queernetworks.typepad.com/queerfresno/2007/10/benefits-electi.html

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