Powering the IDF Walk for ImmunoDeficiency in New York City

Oatworks was proud to be part of the IDF Walk for ImmunoDeficiency, which took place in New York City on Sunday, October 26th 2014. The Walk attracted approximately 500 people, ranging from kids to parents to grandparents, and was blessed by perfect weather. The combined efforts of the walkers, their families and friends raised almost $100,000 for the Immune Deficiency Foundation, a fantastic achievement.

You can see some pictures from the event below and on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Oatworks

For more information about the IDF and their events, please see the following link: http://idf.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=cms.home

The Benefits of Oats and Why We Should Care

Here at Oatworks, we're always stressing the benefits of this drink; it's vegan, has no artificially added flavors, no sugar, no preservatives, contains the power of two bowls of Oatmeal, and finally is 100% juice. In response to this all you might be thinking, "Well, duh it's juice!", but the truth is that A LOT of our favorite treats these days have ingredients that we can't pronounce, let alone explain how they get in our drinks, and that's something that Oatworks avoids altogether. To elaborate, here are some of the reasons that we avoid what we do.

1. Artificially Added Flavor

Food and drinks that contain artificially added flavors and preservatives mostly do because of shelf-life; these additives give longer lasting color and "flavor" but what they also do is give nothing nutritionally to the consumer. Preservatives especially, which are meant to stop fermentation, also mask really scary qualities of, for example, soda, which as seen in many viral videos, reacts almost alarmingly to certain basic things like milk. Although it's illegal to do so, additives are so controversial because of their invisibility; some brands have yet to specify their presence, knowing this fact could hurt sales.

2. 100% Juice

Fruits provide A LOT of things including water, vitamins, minerals, fiber and phytonutrients. Although most of the sugar supplied by fresh fruits is mostly in the form of carbohydrates, fresh fruit gives us nutrients WHILE providing these necessary bits of energy.

3. We reiterate.. Oats. Are. Powerful.

You might get sick of us saying it, but oats are seriously underrated in their abilities. They first offer dietary fiber, or beta-glucan, which is essential for our digestive system but also proven to help lower cholesterol! Oats are also filled with "...manganese, selenium, phosphorus, fiber, magnesium, zinc...carotenoids, tocols (Vitamin E), flavonoids and avenanthramides..." just to name a few of course.

Oatworks doesn't play around We see the importance of this, and that's why our ingredients are straightforward, plain and simple. We give tasty fruit, powerful oats, and leave out the can't-pronounce-ingredients. What more could you want?

Spotted On: PB > ED

'Peanut Butter is greater than Eating Disorder' is a food & lifestyle blog run by a 19-year-old college student who promotes maintaing positive body images and healthy lifestyles, all while exploring everything she can about food! Check out what she had to say about Oatworks at the 2014 SpoonUniversity BrainFood Conference.

“I was expecting big chunks of oats in liquidy form (yuck) but OatWorks “drink your oats” was actually smooth and tasty! ”

Check out the entire event recap here.

Spotted On: Lucille Roberts

This month, Oatworks made it on Lucille Robert's Editor's Pick:

“It’s like having two bowls of oatmeal, without the cooking time and without the heat. As much as we love oatmeal, sometimes it is just too hot for hot cereal. Oatworks will help you stay fuller longer and will keep you energized throughout the day. And it’s not just for breakfast. It’s perfect for that 3pm slump and before or after your workout.”

To read the full article, click here.

Spotted On: Bunny and Brandy's Brunchtime Blog

Brunch blog extraordinaire, Bunny and Brandy's Brunchtime Blog recently incorporated Oatworks in the latest edition of "Tea Time with Brandy" and gave a nod for the flavor-packed beverage!

“The smoothies come in three flavors: Strawberry Banana, Peach Mango, and Pomegranate Blueberry, all in handy portable bottles. The drink itself is less smoothie and more nectar like in its texture, being more viscous than juice, but not thick and creamy like a traditional smoothie. The oats have been so finely ground that they aren’t noticeable in the texture or flavor, which Brandy appreciated. “I had thought the drink might be a bit chunky, but instead its more like a a rich, indulgent juice with a smooth mouth feel. How extraordinary! ”

To read the entire review, click here!

Spotted On: Nadia Murdock FIT

Fitness trainer, Nadia Murdock's first client was herself. In order to get back in shape, she had to open up her mind and clear out all the negativity. There can be quite a few roadblocks when trying to achieve your fitness goal, but Nadia believes that everyone has the strength inside themselves to overcome each obstacle.

Recently, Nadia published a post on how her favorite Oatworks flavor was Peach Mango! She also commented that the smoothie was a great, healthy snack:

“Oatworks has been my go to snack mid-day, before the gym or in the evening! Oatworks is a smoothie with fresh fruit mixed in that provides a great dose of beta glucan that works to make you feel fuller longer.”

What's your favorite Oatworks smoothie flavor?

To read the entire post, click here.

How to Love Oats Even More!

If you’re already an Oatworks fan, you know that eating oats has tons of health benefits such as lowering blood pressure, easing the digestive process, and helping with weight management. If you’re not yet an oat-loving convert, you may be surprised to hear that oats have lots of other great uses that don’t involve consuming them. Here’s some more reasons to love our favorite grain:

1. Naturally Moisturizing

Oats are naturally moisturizing because they can help remove dead skin cells, but they also contain beta-glucan which creates a film that helps lock in moisture. Sounds a lot better than spending $50 on an expensive moisturizer, right? This site recommends combining two cups of oats with a cup of milk and a tablespoon of honey to give your skin a treat.

2. Soothes Summertime Skin Ailments

Summer is great, but if you’re the outdoors type, you’ve definitely had your share of poison ivy, bug bites, and sunburn. When the itching gets unbearable, a nice oatmeal bath will be your saving grace. The chemical makeup of oats has anti-inflammatory and anti-itching properties. You can buy colloidal oats packets that are specifically designed to be added to warm or tepid (not hot) water. There’s also this fancy recipe, or you can just grab a meshy cloth, like a cheesecloth filled with ground oats and put it near the faucet. Then relax!

3. Your Hair Loves It

Have you been noticing that your hair is super dry and brittle lately? Oats could give your hair the boost it needs. They’re packed with B vitamins, which are great for restoring moisture to hair and giving it that shampoo commercial level shine. Try this recipe for an oats-based hair mask. Bonus: if your scalp is dry and flaky, the hair mask will help with that, as well!

There are countless other ways to utilize oats that don’t involve eating them, but the above are some of our favorites. We also recommend getting the full benefits of oats by enjoying a nice chilled bottle of Oatworks while you’re at it! Do you have any other ways that you use oats? Please share with us in the comments!

How To: Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

Sometimes the only thing that will quench your appetite is something sweet and sugary. Unfortunately, the same sugar that we love to indulge in, is the same sugar that causes an abundance of health problems! Lucky for us though, there are plenty of other options out there that can satisfy that craving.

We might jump to assume that few things come close to the “real” thing, but these options are much better (health AND taste wise) than processed sugars or corn syrup, which besides having unfavorable effects on our insides, are not nearly as fun and gourmet as the following options!

Agave Nectar

Agave gives you the major versatility when it comes to kicking your snacks up a notch. If you want to go the organic route, you can try Agave Amber. Another great aspect about this substitute is that it’s less harmful for diabetics to have as a treat once in a while. Being that its consistency resembles that of honey, not only is it a perfect substitute for maple syrup, but it’s also very popular among bakers, who swap it in for cobblers, candied yams and pie recipes.

Honey

As it’s already pretty common in peoples’ daily diets, this alternative source of sweetness may come as no surprise. Honey has been used for thousands of years, the main selling point being that fact that it never goes bad! It contains rich antioxidants, nutrients, and vitamins that are packed with all the flavor and none of the refined sugar. It’s low glycemic and, as a result, is usually used for weight management, a remedy for coughs and sore throats, and even helps fight insomnia. Just stay away from processed Honey, which lacks the essential vitamins and nutrients which make this option such a strong candidate!

Fruit

Fruits are the perfect substitute for satisfying your sweet-tooth. The naturally occurring sugars are more than enough to help you sustain energy throughout your day, and the amounts of recipes that come from just a good batch are endless! This is why we incorporate fruit in every bottle of Oatworks. Fruit can be added into many different recipes as a natural sweetener; you can puree, blend, and mix fruit into almost any dessert, or you can just enjoy them as-is!

Molasses

Molasses is also low on the glycemic index, and can be considered one of the more rich options. It claims the highest amounts of Vitamin B6, potassium, iron, magnesium, calcium and manganese. It may not seem like the most versatile substitute, but with just the right recipes, you’re in for a tasty, bold, and rich treat!

There is a reason why so many people are switching to healthier lifestyles, one of them being that nature can provide you with all the things your body needs to keep your health in check while providing tasty options! You can find every taste from spicy and sour, to salty and sweet. Using these simple ingredients, you’ll never be feel deprived again!

Have other options that we didn't mention? Let us know in the comments below!

Oatworks Fuels the SpoonU Brainfood Conference!

This past weekend, Oatworks celebrated the first annual Brainfood Conference with Spoon University at AlleyNYC. Spoon University is an online publication designed to educate college students about food—how to eat it, cook it, think about it, and everything in between. Spoon University has chapters at colleges all around the country, so the conference was populated by the best and brightest students from all over, united by their love of, well, food!

Conference attendees enjoyed two days jam-packed with speakers, panels, workshops, and of course, quite the assortment of delicious food. Both days kicked off with registration and a complimentary breakfast that included yogurt, doughnuts, coffee, and some well-deserved Oatworks! Participants chatted, nibbled, and sipped as they met fellow foodies and mingled before the festivities began.

Some highlights included a keynote speech by Melissa herself of Baked by Melissa, in which she talked about her love for baking and excitement and craziness of starting your own business. Later, in a panel called “How Our Generation Talks About Food,” panelists discussed how millennials spend less time eating their food than they do hyper-analyzing, photographing, and filming it. Even Julia Kramer, associate restaurant editor of Bon Appetit, says she trusts Instagram images for restaurant recommendations.

There was also plenty of career advice for college students from startup founders including Tyler Gage of Runa Tea and Amanda Zuckerman of Dormify, with many founders saying that college was the perfect time to take risks and pursue what you love.

The overall message of the conference? Food intersects with everything, and it’s important to be engaged and informed. We agree!

Oatworks Played a Part in The Seed Experience!

The Seed: Positively Plant Based, the two-day vegan takeover being held in downtown Manhattan, will host vegans, vegan-skeptics, and the vegan-curious, to explore wellness, lifestyle, and education topics through the vegan lens. The much anticipated event being set for August 9th and 10th at 82 Mercer Street in SOHO!

Besides getting their fill on top-of-the-line vegan treats (including Oatworks smoothies!), guests would also be treated to the event’s panel of industry leaders in the form of talks, demonstrations and workshops. Panelists included keynote presenters Erika Mitchener from Everyday Tai Chi, Jenne Clairiborn from Quick & Easy Recipes for a Delicious Kitchen, and many more.

in preparation for its third-annual installment of The Seed Experience, The Seed hosted an exclusive press-preview July 29th, held at downtown Manhattan restaurant Rockin' Raw.

The evening offered an exclusive sneak peek into the main event, with samples from vegan-friendly brands, and healthy bites and beverages including your very own, Oatworks! The press-event focused on “what was to come” and gave insight on the success expected to come from this vegan-filled two-day conference!

Everyone stayed in the conversation with event hashtag, #Seed4Thought, and guests were treated to printed out versions of their own Instagrams.

In the end, we were so excited to be a part of it all!

The Best Energy is Natural Energy

Do you ever feel like you’re never fully rested, and are constantly a walking zombie? We’re frequently making excuses on why we can’t do activities, but in actuality, we’re investing our time and money on unhealthy habits.

You don’t need “super-charged” energy drinks or a full 10 hour sleep to feel brand new; just follow a couple of these tips and see how your life (and battery power) will change for the better!

Get your heart pumping.

It may not be everyone’s forte, but cardio is crucial nowadays because of the constant overflow of processed foods and prolonged times of sitting at office desks. Both CNN and BBC have claimed that even short workouts can improve your overall fitness, which in turn helps prevent heart disease. Remember: a healthier a body equals a happier you!

Grab some nuts.

When you’re bored at home watching TV you may want to go straight for something crunchy, but don’t fall for those tempting go-to snacks! Instead, go NUTS with NUTS. Aside from the many different kinds that there are to benefit your health, examples include walnuts, which are packed with healthy omega-3s, and almonds, which are filled with vitamin E and plenty of antioxidants!

H2O.

Water, as surprising as this might sound, acts like an energy drink. Many times we are not getting headaches or fatigue from exhaustion, but dehydration, and being dehydrated is just as bad as being hungry. Your body is comprised of 60% water, and if you’re not drinking enough, your body is being deprived of necessary nutrients, so drink up!

Soak up the sun.  

With the Sun’s UV rays, our bodies make vitamin D, which helps absorb calcium and protect us from diseases like osteoporosis. Also, sunlight awakens our internal clock to let us know that we need to start our day. Put on some SPF, and you’re ready for an instant energy boost.

Everyone has different styles when it comes to getting your energy level up, but just keep in mind that energy in a can is a short-term solution for your long-term energy needs. Making smart choices and eating the ‘right’ snacks are where you will see your long-term relationship with energy and health strengthened!

Veganism: It's Not What You Think (Or is it)

When someone says that they’re planning to “go vegan” your first reaction might be to console your sad friend for losing one of America’s staples: meat. But, you may actually be surprised at what being a vegan actually means; from giving up animal byproducts to cutting out the steak, veganism not only benefits your health (and acts as natures own cleanse), but it’s good for the environment too! Here are some examples of things we think we know about veganism, and what is actually the case.

1) The point of being Vegan goes way beyond just altering your diet.

Going vegan helps the environment greatly. Not eating meat saves more on carbon emissions than owning a prius! More than 70% of grain produced just in the U.S. is used to feed livestock, and 30% of the Earth’s land mass is used to raise these animals.

2) “It’s hard because you’ll be the only one doing it.”

Besides the fact that over 7.5 million people have already committed to this lifestyle, Google even released its own study, proving the upward interest in veganism that this country has experienced in the last 10 years. #EatingClean and other inspiring social movements have also, more casually, led to an increase in attractiveness of the diet; it’s basically impossible to not find a Pinterest recipe delicious!

3) It can be… DELICIOUS.

Say what! Yes, veganism can be deliciously possible and the proof is in the pudding (or at least in the Oatworks). We’re totally vegan-friendly, and there are a bunch of other awesome options that are (almost as) cool like us! Whether you’d like to whip up a freshly made smoothie for breakfast, or have your favorite oat cereal with almond, soy, or rice milk, nowadays the vegan diet is completely consumer (and taste-bud) friendly.

Not convinced yet? No worries. Like every life-change, becoming a vegan might take you a lot of thinking and time, and a lot of research. Trying to find a way to learn more? Events, like for example The Seed, are geared towards providing you with the tools to proceed with a vegan lifestyle with an open mind and palate. Not considering it at all? No worries either… just make sure you grab your favorite Oatworks smoothie to power up!

Let us know what you think in the comments below!

Summer Recipes: The Perfect Popsicle

It’s hot, you’ve been outside all day, and as refreshing as a cold drink sounds, something a little icier sounds way better.

To change up the way you drink your Oatworks smoothie, try freezing your snack in popsicle form! It’s simple and easy, and within five hours (leaving them in overnight is a good option too!) your new treat will be ready.

Here’s how to make your Oatworks popsicle in three quick steps:

1) Pour your Oatworks smoothie-of-choice into a measuring cup or any other holder that has a tiny spout, so you won’t pour it all over the place when filling the popsicle holder. (Popsicle holders can be purchased at stores like Target, and can be as cheap as $3!)

2) Cut up some fruits (try pieces of blueberries if you’re using Oatworks’ Pomegranate Blueberry smoothie, or peaches for the Peach Mango flavor) and add them to your container filled with the smoothie. You can even get creative by adding different kinds of fruits to give a surprise flavor to your popsicle! Try adding raspberries to your Strawberry Banana smoothie mix.

3) Pour the mixture into the popsicle holders, and stick it into the freezer!

Enjoy your snack in the sun or on the go!

Spotted On: While The Men Watch

While The Men Watch is a live talk-show that looks beyond the game on TV by commenting on the latest sports apparel, gear, events, and topics. Mentioning the Tour De France, they include Oatworks in a list of power-up must-have's for everyone to enjoy!

“It takes about 6,000 calories for a top cyclist to make it through a stage during the Tour. In case you need a visual, that’s about 6-lbs of steak. If you just need enough stamina to run for the 6-train and have limited time to brew grandma’s porridge recipe, much less a side of beef, there is Oatworks. It’s packed with soluble fiber (aka beta glucan), which provides long lasting energy, makes you feel full and can even lower cholesterol. We also give Oatworks extra points for having no artificial sweeteners and being small enough to fit in your purse. Lena’s husband (aka Mr. Nationally Ranked Triathlete even thinks the stuff is legit).”

To read the entire article, click here!

Spotted On: The Dieline

The Dieline, a dedicated platform for the the package design industry and its practitioners, students, and enthusiasts, has the aim to define and promote the world's best package design. They seek to "provide a place where the package design community can review, critique and stay informed of the latest trends and projects being created in the field."

As part of its package design theme, The Dieline commended us for the Oatworks package revamp!

“In order to maintain its growing customers, Oatworks called upon designer Drew Downie to refresh their branding and packaging...Drew Downie infused brightness and energy into the brand and helped convey the uniqueness of Oatwork’s dual power of fruit and oats.”

To read the entire article, click here! What do you think about package design and the new and improved Oatworks look? Let us know in the comments below!

Overnight Oats for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Dessert!

Oat lovers, are you ready for the solution to all of your “what do I eat for breakfast” problems? These recipes will restore your faith in breakfast (and in the power of oats), and your children will be satisfied and most importantly, healthy.

Here is the basic recipe to follow when making overnight oats:

1. First, mix rolled oats with an equal amount of your liquid of choice (for example, your favorite Oatworks flavor). You can use any combination of dairy or nondairy milk, yogurt, or even juice; just stick with the same basic 1:1 ratio. If you’re using steel cut oats, use more liquid to avoid gumminess.

2. Mix any spices, sweeteners, or dried fruit you prefer into the oats and milk.

3. Store in a glass jar and let the oats soak for at least three hours, (ideally overnight).

4. In the morning, you can add fresh fruit, nuts, and other favorite toppings to your oatmeal.

This first recipe only takes five minutes to make. How much easier could a healthy and fueling breakfast get?

Here are some other overnight oats that you can try to change up your routine:

• Coconut Mango
• Blueberry Banana
• Strawberry Banana
• Coco Nib and Pomegranate
• Chocolate Cherry
• Chunky Monkey
• Chocolate Covered Strawberry
• Pumpkin Pie

Make these oats however you want them, change it up, and enjoy what you are eating. If you come up with a great new recipe tell us in the comments below!

Oatworks Took on The Color Run This Past July 4th Weekend!

The “Happiest 5k on the Planet”, The Color Run, came to Brooklyn, NY on July 5th, and we couldn’t have had more fun being a part of this amazing event! Traveling though the country, this 5k race embodies less of the competition aspect of the race (although running your best is always encouraged), and focuses on the joy and fun of being doused in color. Promoting health, happiness, and a good ol’ time (things we here at Oatworks are huge fans of), The Color Run was a huge hit.

The only two rules of the race being to wear all white and to finish “plastered in color”, the entire event felt carefree and most importantly, healthy. Aside from the upbeat pump-up music and contests for all runners, we were happy to be amongst the participating vendors whom were all health-conscious.

As part of being one of the vendors who were able to install an area where participants could visit us, ask about the brand, and try it for themselves, Oatworks was able to directly interact with all runners for The Color Run. Being available both before and after the 5k, racers could try and then decide on their own preferred flavors of everyone’s favorite oat-based fruit smoothie drink!

The Oatworks team combed through the entire complex in order to successfully deliver beverages to the hundreds of people at the event and to get them excited about Oatworks. To propel excitement even further, people were encouraged to share their experience (Oatworks included) via social media, resulting in won contests and goody bags to pair with their complimentary drinks!

Overall, the response was incredibly positive and the event proved to be successful. Groups of runners were having tons of fun taking pictures of themselves with Oatworks and posting them on social media; everyone loved the taste and found it refreshing and satisfying before and after running the 5K. Not to mention the fact that we had almost as much fun, if not more, being there! Runners displayed their excitement through their handles, especially via Instagram to share their unforgettable moments!

Were you among the lucky masses that got to catch up with us and enjoy one of the over 1,850 bottles given out? Let us know how you enjoyed the race and your Oatworks beverage in the comments below!

Spotted On: Barista Kids

Oatworks is a great gluten-free snack substitute for kids, and was recently showcased on Barista Kids!

“My daughter Alice and I both have Celiac’s disease, an autoimmune disorder that can occur in genetically predisposed people where the ingestion of gluten (wheat, rye or barley) leads to damage in the small intestine. While oats do not contain gluten they are almost exclusively processed in the same facilities as wheat products, making them dangerous for us to consume. It’s very hard to find certified gluten-free oats and, although the search for gluten-free snacks is getting easier, it’s not always easy to find a product that doesn’t contain gluten, but whose other ingredients are exemplary, like OatWorks.”

— Lisa Duggan

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To read the full article, click here.

Innovation, We Like It

Over at Oatworks we're big fans of innovation (we do sell a real oats beverage in a lump-free delicious way), so it's no wonder why we would want to be a part of this week's upcoming event. Startup Grind NYC will host the CEO and founder of LearnVest, Alexa von Tobel, on June 24 at 6:00pm, and we couldn't be more excited!

So this got us thinking, in what ways does Oatworks represent innovation?

1. The Power of Oats. Bottled.

Each bottle of Oatworks is packed with as much oat beta glucan soluble fiber as you’d find in TWO bowls of oatmeal. That's pretty innovative if you ask us. Besides being super powerful and super healthy, that makes Oatworks an ideal breakfast on-the-go, with the perfect amount of punch to kick start your day and keep you powered up throughout.

2. Lump free but still oat-powered?

Yep, we're smoother than a perfect peach, and you'll have to try us to believe us.

3. The Taste.

Oatworks is nutritious, convenient and fueling, but it's the taste that will really blow your mind. Nothing beats a chilled Oatworks smoothie in the morning before heading out to conquer the day ahead. Choose from our three delicious flavors - Peach Mango, Pomegranate Blueberry or Strawberry Banana - and enjoy the goodness of oats like you’ve never done before.

So, in honor of all things innovative, make sure to reserve your spot at next week's event, and remember to grab your favorite Oatworks beverage!

Spotted On: The Frosted Vegan

On May 11, Abby Thompson of The Frosted Vegan opened up her Vegan Cuts subscription box and told us all about why she loved Oatworks.

“I also drank the OatWorks Pomegranate Blueberry oat powered smoothie as well, which was a great mid-morning snack at work. I loved that it wasn’t chunky or anything, but was still really filling and flavorful. I usually eat lunch around 11am since I get up so early, but after having this during the mid-morning, I was able to hold off until 12:30pm (big deal in my book, I’m usually starving by 11).”

About The Frosted Vegan:

The Frosted Vegan is a cultivation of love and passion for mainstreaming the vegan culinary approach.  I want my readers to recreate a recipe and proclaim “That is vegan?! But it’s so good!”. Vegan food is wholesome and delicious, as well as accessible and easy.

Want to work with me? Shoot me an e-mail or use the contact form at the top of the page! I am available for food styling, photography, and baked goods services.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me at thefrostedvegan@gmail.com, I love hearing from you.

Check out her full review here!