Written by Kathleen O’Connor for Durango Sustainable.

Sita.

The name of the Hindu goddess representing femininity, earth, and Nature. The celebrated goddess who is admired for her threefold qualities of strength, dedication, and courage.

It seemed only fitting to lend this name to Sarvaa's newest meal replacement protein powder which delivers a powerful triad of healthful benefits to the mind and body. Not only does it provide a source of rich plant-based protein, Sita also brings a probiotics component for healthy gut support and an ayurvedic-inspired herbal blend that enhances efficiency and assimilation during the digestive process. These three components, joined together in one meal replacement powder, makes Sita Protein a powerful way to support your health.

Ani Silversprings, Sarvaa's resident Recipe Innovator and the bold, imaginative force behind Sita Protein's formulation, explains what inspired her to create Sarvaa's latest protein powder and how this new product is a bit different from Sarvaa's other protein-based meal replacement powders.

Sarvaa's Newest Face In Nourishment for the Body

Historically, Sarvaa has focused on creating specific meal replacement protein powders for its customer's particular health needs; for example, Pacha Protein delivers a wide range of chlorophyll-rich super greens for those wanting a higher level of cleansing phytonutrients, while Sacred Strength includes plant adaptogens to its protein powder to help with the effects of stress on the body and promote hormonal balance.

For Ani, these were great options when her autoimmune disease wasn't acting up. "For me, with my autoimmune disease and very sensitive digestive tract, I noticed that I could use our proteins when I was in good health. But whenever anything was a little bit off in my system, it was difficult for me to digest anything," Ani explains. "I became interested in exploring what ingredients could work for my specific sensitivities."

So, Ani went into Sarvaa's formulation room and began playing around with different proteins and found a few seed-based, high-fiber vegan proteins that work best for her body's needs.

Hemp, Pumpkin, and Sacha Inchi seeds- Gifts from Mother Earth

Ani found that utilizing the protein and fiber-rich trifecta of hemp, pumpkin, and sacha inchi seeds was an effective way to get the desired complete protein boost she wanted while also being kind to her digestive system.

Both hemp and sacha inchi seeds provide all nine essential amino acids and are a potent source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which play a crucial role in reducing high cholesterol levels, cell metabolism, and proper cognitive functioning.

Pumpkin seeds are packed with essential minerals for your body, including magnesium, zinc, and iron, and also contain those important fatty acids necessary for a healthy heart. The nutrient-rich content of pumpkin seeds also delivers other benefits, such as reducing inflammation and improving overall immune function in the body.

As Ani continued experimenting, she wondered what other ingredients she could add to her formulation to support her gut health further. Of course, for Ani, this was a no-brainer. "In my opinion, Sarvaa has the best probiotics on the market, hands down!" she said. "They have shifted my health in ways I could never have imagined."

In addition, Ani noticed about three days after starting Vibrant Biome Probiotics that her mood noticeably shifted, and the brain fog she had been experiencing began to clear. "I felt like my gut-brain connection was much more online, and I was able to function better," Ani said. "We have customers tell us that they believe our probiotics were an essential piece of their journey back to health after suffering from a serious illness, which is not surprising to me," she added.

Not All Probiotic Supplements Are Created Equal

So, what makes Sarvaa's Vibrant Biome Probiotics so incredibly good at what they do?

For one, Sarvaa recently reformulated all three of their Vibrant Biome offerings to include a variety of 24 live strains of beneficial bacteria that support proper gut function, promote a healthy microbiome, and so much more.

About ninety percent of these 24 significant strains are spore-forming SBOs or soil-based (micro) organisms. SBOs are crucial when taking probiotics, and here are some reasons why: while the more traditionally used beneficial strains, such as Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium, have well-documented benefits and are included in all of Sarvaa's Vibrant Biome products, they lack the shell-like endospore that encapsulates and protects the SBO Bacillus strains. Thanks to this endospore, these SBO strains have a superpower-like quality that makes them shelf stable without any need for refrigeration and also gives them high resistance to stomach acids and antibiotics, thus assuring the delivery of viable probiotics to deeper parts of the digestive tract. As a result, these strains support healthy digestion and immune system function while promoting a healthy gut microflora that reduces gas, bloating, and constipation.

Other important benefits that SBO probiotics bring to Sita Protein include:

• Improved blood sugar levels
• Improved sleep
• Balances hormone production
• Rebuilds stamina and strength
• Faster recovery from illnesses, surgery, or intense exercise

Ani incorporated Sarvaa’s Vibrant Biome Probiotics 28 into the Sita Protein formula, which translates to 28 billion CFUs (colony-forming units) per serving. This refers to the number of live and active microorganisms found in each and every serving. Additionally, thanks to Vibrant Biome 28, Sita Protein also contains important prebiotics that serve as a food source for the healthy bacteria and other microorganisms comprising your gut microflora. Sita Protein also contains L-Glutamine, an essential amino acid that aids in the repair and maintenance of your digestive lining.

Embracing Ancient Wisdom

Ani decided to add one more important pillar to Sita Protein's meal replacement formula, one she felt was of the essence when it came to finalizing the end product.

As a student of ayurvedic cooking traditions, Ani added an ayurvedic-inspired digestive spice blend that would facilitate digestion and taste really good as it hit the palette. "I was really excited to include cinnamon, ginger, fennel, and cardamom and combine them in such a way that created a super delicious protein," she said.

Not only do our taste buds love them, but they also do a great job supporting digestion. "So, when our body smells and tastes these herbs, we begin to salivate and our brain speaks to the gut, informing us that we're about to eat," Ani added. "This actually helps us to digest our food more functionally which then helps the body assimilate more nutrients during the digestive process."

Sita Protein is the perfect meal replacement protein powder for those looking for a delicious, tasty drink that is both fiber and omega-rich and also filling without the chalky aftertaste associated with some protein powder drinks. And it promotes a healthy gut microflora that supports the entire digestive system to boot!

Ani's favorite way to take Sita Protein is simply by mixing a serving with Unsweetened Almond Milk. "It's really delicious."

Sita Protein also makes the ideal supplement to your morning smoothie or, as Ani also enjoys it, as an addition to some chia pudding. "I like to soak chia seeds the night before and then before serving, mix in some Sita and non-dairy yogurt to make a more protein-heavy chia seed pudding," she said.

For a delicious and inspired Sita Protein recipe, check out Sarvaa's Sita Protein, Grain-free Waffles.

Sarvaa Organics is a member of Durango’s Sustainable Business Guide. Check out all the members here.