Product Reviews: Protein Powders

I've been toying with the idea that a protein powder drink for breakfast would be the easiest way for me to get a good breakfast in. I am often in a rush and don't have a lot of time for breakfast and this is easy for me. When I do get in the protein shakes, I feel better and often do lose a little weight just from this change up. So being allergic to dairy and avoiding all things soy, I've been trying different powders. Here are a few reviews (in order of date of purchase):

Nature's Way Alive! PEA Protein Shake (Vanilla):
http://www.amazon.com/Natures-Way-Alive-Protein-Vanilla/dp/B000OP5ZHE/ref=cm_cr-mr-title
This protein powder was grainy and left everything to be desired when it came to taste. Whoever thought Peas and vanilla went together should get their head examined. This stuff turned my stomach to smell it, but since I was trying to be a good sport, I still tried to make various shakes and it was awful each time. The only thing that it kind of tasted better or even kind of palatable was when I tried to adjust it to make it a savory drink. I've commented on Amazon's website with my exact recipes. One great thing though is that the company has great customer service. I called and let them know what a bad experience I had and asked them if I can get a different product and they sent me daily vitamins that have similar benefits. I am loving the vitamins.


Peaceful Planet Organic Inca Meal Sprouted Rice Protein(Peruvian Vanilla):
http://www.amazon.com/Inca-Meal-12-6-oz-Powder/dp/B003LAQXAM/ref=cm_cr-mr-title
This one has a good texture as far as protein powders go. It has a good but very distinct flavor because there are other ingredients in it to make it a complete meal. It is sweetened with stevia for those concerned about artificial sweeteners. This powder is very thick (on account of the chia seeds I believe) and gets thicker the longer it has been mixed, so you want to drink it immediately after making it.

MLO Vegan Brown Rice Protein Powder:
http://www.amazon.com/Rice-Protein-High-Fiber-24oz/dp/B000GX86BQ
This is terribly grainy.The flavor is neutral, and of course tastes like rice. I have a whole canister, so I am going to figure out what to do with it. Pancakes did NOT work. I am glad it is non-dairy, but it is not very palatable.

Sunwarrior Raw Vegan Protein Rice Powder (Vanilla):
http://www.amazon.com/Warrior-Protein-Powder-Vanilla-Flavor/dp/B0039DAUKA/ref=sr_1_2?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1337707180&sr=1-2
This powder is grainier than Peaceful Planet, but is much smoother than MLO. So it is tolerable, as long as you know you are drinking protein powder. The flavor is good too. I tried it in a fruit smoothie without sugar to see if the stevia would sweeten it enough and it sure did. If you do not like very sweet powders, I would avoid this one. I like this one and am seriously considering buying this product. (I e-mailed the company and requested samples to try since Sunwarrior is crazy expensive.)

Soups and sides: Non-dairy creamy Tomato Soup

2 tablespoons of coconut oil
3 carrots
4 celery stalks
4 cloves of garlic
2 small onions
2 cups chicken stock (or vegetable stock if vegan)
2 cans (about 28 oz each) crushed tomatoes
Salt and Pepper
a few basil leaves

Dice carrots, celery, onions and garlic. In a pot melt coconut oil (you can use any type of oil you prefer), add your diced vegetables and cook until onions are translucent, careful not to burn. Add your chicken stock and tomatoes and a little water (to your preference). Add salt and pepper to taste. Cook on low simmer until carrots are cooked through. Blend about 75% in blender until smooth. Serve with basil on top.

We paired this soup with the traditional grilled cheese sandwich. My husband with his Colby and white sharp cheddar and me with my daiya cheese, mozzarella flavored. We both thoroughly enjoyed our food.

Girls Night Dinner Party

So, I wanted to have a few friends over, so here are the recipes we used- these are not originally mine, but I have tweaked them. Everything got good reviews from everyone. :) The hamburgers were much better than I expected- a tomatoe slice on the bun w/ a little mustard and ketchup was all it needed!

(Sorry no photos today.)

Meatloaf Hamburgers
24 oz Ground Beef
4 slices of Wholewheat Bread (tossed in the food processor to make fine breadcrumbs)
1 Egg
1/4 Green Pepper (diced into small peices)
1 small Onion (finely chopped, I used a food processor)
3 cloves of Garlic(finely chopped)
Salt and Pepper
A dash of Ground Red Pepper
A few dashes of dried Basil and Oregano

Mix together and form patties of about 5 oz each. (Makes approx 7 patties)
Cook as you would your normal Hamburgers.

Savory Mashed Acorn Squash

1 Acorn Squash
Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder to taste

Oil pan and slice squash in half oil squash on both sides.  Bake at 450 for 60 minutes cut side down. Take out and let cool for a few minutes, take out flesh and mash it and add spices to taste. If it is watery, cook it down in a sauce pan.

Chipotle Coleslaw
1 bag of Coleslaw mix
about 1/2 cup mayo
1/2 of juice of lemon
couple dashes of chipolte hot sauce
about 1 tsp brown mustard
pinch of sugar

Mix up all but the coleslaw mix well in the bottom of a bowl, add vegetables. This recipe is especially delicious with roasted pecans chopped up and added.

Mimosas
1 part orange juice
1 part sweet spumante italian sparkling wine
Grenadine

Mix wine and juice and place in wine glass drop a little grenadine in the glass after it has poured. This will make the drink two toned and add a little more flavor. (For our girl's night, we also used wine charms to tell our glasses apart.)


Well, now I guess I should do the dishes...

Product Review: Organic Nectars Cashewtopia non-dairy frozen dessert

So I'm at my local grocery store- and I see this non-dairy dessert on sale for half price. I couldn't resist. As stated before, my very favorite is coconut based non-dairy desserts. Though after discovering I am allergic to coconuts, I was again in search for a good frozen dessert.
This is a decent frozen dessert. I'd give it 4 stars. Not 5, because it's texture leaves a little to be desired. But the flavor! It's so delicious! I would never call this gelato. (On the container it calls itself "vanilla raw agave gelato.") To me gelato is this extremely decadent and creamy frozen delight. While this is very delicious, it does not fit that description. If this continues to be on sale, I will buy it again. However, at the prices they wish to charge for a raw, organic, soy-free, dairy-free, gluten-free item... It might just have to stay on the shelf.

http://www.organicnectars.com/products.html#

Product Review: Amande cultured almondmilk

Yogurt! I love yogurt. And this is finally non-dairy yogurt that tastes like yogurt! I am in love with this yogurt. It's simple but delicious. I've tried soy yogurt and coconut yogurts and they tend to be grainy and lack a certain something I just can't pin down. But this almond yogurt made by Amande is great. It has a good texture, a slight tanginess that yogurts are supposed to have, and just enough sweetness.The only caveat is that it can be a little watery- but I've experienced this with regular dairy milk yogurts. I'm giving this yogurt a 5 star rating. Normally I say that the best thing is that I can have it- well, that's just not true- the best thing is it tastes delicious! So far I've only tried the vanilla- but I can't wait to try the other flavors!
http://amandeyogurt.com/

This is dairy free, soy free, gluten free, and sweetened w/ fruit juices.

Have a great day all!