Home Workout Essentials: NOW Foods Organic Whey Protein Powder

Why even use protein powder in the first place? Why not just eat this instead?

Welp, protein powder is an individual decision. I knew dang well my continued body transformation and elevated sexiness ratio would require additional protein, especially since I don’t eat a ton of meat.

So I did my due diligence before my first purchase of NOW Foods Organic 100% Pure Whey Protein Isolate. I sought the opinion of protein users that I know. I read labels and did side-by-side comparisons with my eyeballs. I lurked on forums where people discuss protein powders. I read testimonials on review sites. And I didn’t rush in. I took my time with all of this before deciding on NOW.

Many of the most infamous brands out there I instantly scratched & clawed off my list with my bare fingernails because of the crap they contain. If the protein powder contains Aspartame, Sucralose or Acesulfame-K, it’s not getting near my food trap. If you’re using a powder already and it contains one of these ingredients, please consider running far away from it. Those are artificial sweeteners and they are NOT good for your health.

NOW Foods is family owned and been around since 1968. They take a clean, organic approach to their products. Here’s what they say about the protein powder:

“NOW® Certified Organic Whey Protein is an all-natural whey protein that is concentrated from organic milk, which was produced without the use of synthetic growth hormones (rBGH), antibiotics, or pesticides.  It is processed by low temperature ultrafiltration to limit denaturation of the proteins, and is both bioavailable and easily digested.”

Complete supplement/nutrition facts

But How’s The Taste and Other Benefits?

Now contains NO sugar and has 24 grams of protein per scoop. It dissolves well in liquids and is virtually flavorless. It’s proven to be a wonderful protein-boost in my morning Shakeology feeding. Check it out:

15 grams in Shakeology + 24 grams in NOW = 39 grams of protein

I’ve been using the Whey powder for over a month now. I haven’t had any stomach issues, including no bellyaching, bloating or farting symptoms that protein bars used to give me. Because the last thing I wanna do is fart in my office and then a co-worker walks in. Yes, that’s happened to me before.

One of other key benefits has been the powder’s ability to aid in my muscle recovery after a badass workout. I’m experiencing less soreness and faster recovery time in general, which means I can resume further badass-ness with minimal delays. NOW Foods Protein Powder is definitely a new, permanent fixture among my Home Workout Essentials. Go on and read more NOW testimonials for yourself and decide if it’s right for YOU.

Booyah!

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Protein Powder De-Virginator

So many people are doing it. Should I be doing it, too? Shhhh! …I’m a protein powder virgin.

I’ve never had a scoop or packet for supplemental purposes. Just call me a hippie, because I’ve always got my fix from natural sources like tuna, beans and Greek Yogurt. Limiting my carbs and increasing proteins began the journey to controlling my Greedy for good.

(Protein keeps you fuller than carbs. It just does.)

Then I introduced Shakeology to my double stomachs with its 16-18grams of protein. But eh, the shake is a complete meal, not a protein powder, so a virgin I still remain. With these torturous workouts I’ve been ‘flicting upon myself lately, I’m beginning to wonder if extra protein is necessary.

Do you, my fellow protein virgin, also wonder for yourself?

To avoid the dreary fate of crawling under a desk in confusion, I checked in with my buddy and fitness guru, Rog Law, to get his take on the situation. This is what he told me….

“The biggest reason to use a protein supplement is simply convenience. In a society where everyone is constantly on the go, this is one the easiest ways that you can get something healthy in on the go. Add that to the fact that most people (especially women) are notorious for not even getting in the RDA amount of protein, which is pretty low to begin with, and you have a solid case for adding more protein into your diet. Protein will also keep you full for longer in comparison to carbohydrates or fat, which goes a long way towards slaying the hunger beast.”

Then my cranium went half numb from thinking about Whey Protein vs. Soy Protein. And what the hell is Concentrate vs. Isolate!?

Despite my many virginistic questions, I’m sure I could probably benefit from a protein powder. But instead of throwing darts at the Google to pick the best powders, I asked some of my protein-wielding peeps which brands they recommend.

Insight From The Protein Wielders

Rog uses different varieties of Optimum Nutrition. He explained that you can get it at the Vitamin Shoppe, but make sure to ask for online pricing. It’s a big discount that’s not advertised. A 4.5 pound jug goes for around $50 and lasts about 60 days. It has 60 grams protein per serving (whoa), but you can use a 1/2 serving instead to stretch it longer.

Todd also uses Optimum Nutrition. He reviewed their 100% Whey Protein here.

Karen uses NOW Whey Protein Isolate and JC uses TrueProtein Casein with premium chocolate and EAS Whey (vanilla or chocolate).

Kohy prefers the “lighter tasting” low calorie, low carb protein shake VPX SRO Zero Carb. He also recommends his personal favorite, Dymatize Elite XT (formerly known as Elite 12hr), for those who prefer a more filling, shake with some body.

Jody has been using Met-Rx since the early 1990's. She is currently supplementing with their Protein Plus variety, which is almost all protein and a few carbs. Jody uses the supplement to make smoothies and adds it to oatmeal to make protein bars and cookies. She also mixes it with water or unsweetened vanilla almond milk for a mini meal. Yet despite Jody’s love for Met-Rx, she also gives Nutrabolics Isobolic Triple Isolate Protein Matrix a major-serious thumbs up.

Aren’t the Protein Wielders fantastic? They sure do make it easy for us to be lazy researchers so we can de-virginate with ease.

But for me? Not today. Not yet. I’m still gonna take this thing slooow. Let me soak up their recommendations and do some comparison-ing before I choose which powder to try out first.

So how about YOU? Will you de-virginate soon? Or have you been protein powdering for a while now?

(5/31/11 Edit: Some commenters have made good points that protein powders have fillers and unpronounceable ingredients. NOT liking that at all. Nooope.)

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Amazing Grass All Natural Drink Powder, Green Superfood, 8.5-Ounce Container

Made with Organic Green Foods
Net. Wt. 8.5 oz
Our Premium Blend of SuperFoods Provides Amazing Energy and Amazing Health!
A delicious drink powder to help you achieve your recommended 5 to 9 daily servings of fruits and vegetables
Naturally detoxifies and boosts your immune system
Probiotics and Enzymes to aid digestion and absorption
Complete raw food with powerful antioxidants
Alkaline green plant foods balance acidic pH levels
Contains 70% Organic ingredients
More organic whole leaf greens per gram than any other green superfood - not from juice
Featuring Sambazon organic pure Acai powder
No soy lecithin fillers
Nitrogen packed for freshness
Gluten free and Vegan
All natural whole food ingredients
Product of the USA
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Price: $33.50

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Amazing Grass Chocolate Drink Powder, Green Superfood, 8.5-Ounce Container

B00112EUPM

Price: $33.50

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Amazing Grass Chocolate Drink Powder, Green Superfood, 8.5-Ounce Container

B00112EUPM

Price: $33.50

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Optimum Nutrition Creatine Powder

Micronized Creatine Powder

Price: $25.19

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BSN Syntha-6 Protein Powder

Syntha-6 is the ultra-premium dietary supplement with an excellent taste which is an all day protein (it is not an after workouts supplement and for better results you should take it throughout the day and before sleeping). It is a multi-functional protein powder (a.m. to p.m.) which contains diverse complete proteins (six). This is a high quality protein powder which enables you to increase your daily protein intake while maintaining muscle tone.

Price:

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SAMBAZON Organic Freeze-Dried Acai Powder, Antioxidant Superfood, 90-Gram Jar

SAMBAZON Organic Freeze-Dried Acai Powder, Antioxidant Superfood, 90-Gram Jar

Price:

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Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa Powder

Looking to satisfy a dark chocolate craving? Look no further than Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa Powder. Sure, I'm a huge (HUGE) fan of Ghirardelli Natural Unsweetened Cocoa Powder, but it doesn't quite satisfy my craving for the rich, antioxidant-packed dark chocolate taste. I have tried loading up my foods with the Ghirardelli variety, but I still can't quite get the same richness that comes with dark chocolate. That's why I was so excited when I found Hershey's Special Dark.

NUTRITION FACTS
Serving Size: 1 tbsp
Calories: 20
Total Fat: 0.5 grams, 1%
Saturated Fat: 0%
Sodium: 65 mg, 3%
Carbohydrates: 3 grams
Fiber: 2 grams, 8%
Sugar: 0 grams
Protein: 1 gram

I added some to my oatmeal and found that it was transformed into the richest, fudgiest chocolate dessert ever. Yum! Delicious, rich, dark, and everything cocoa powder should be. What I like about using cocoa is I can scale up the chocolate factor while keeping calories in check by using Splenda or another sweetener; I can also adjust the level of sweetness to my liking.

Each tablespoon of Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa Powder provides just 10 calories, 0.5 grams of total fat, no sugars, 2 grams of fiber, 1 gram of protein, and 10% of the daily value for iron. I did not expect to see any fiber in the nutrition facts (but I'm sure glad it's there). The ingredients are, Cocoa and Cocoa Processed With Alkali.

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An 8-ounce container of Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa Powder cost me $3.99, but you can also purchase six 8-ounce cans for $18.99 at Amazon.com. Yes - 6 containers could last a very long time!

I love this stuff. It's my new favorite cocoa find, and I will continue to experiment by adding it to different recipes.

{Website: Hershey's Cocoa}

View the original article here

Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa Powder

Looking to satisfy a dark chocolate craving? Look no further than Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa Powder. Sure, I'm a huge (HUGE) fan of Ghirardelli Natural Unsweetened Cocoa Powder, but it doesn't quite satisfy my craving for the rich, antioxidant-packed dark chocolate taste. I have tried loading up my foods with the Ghirardelli variety, but I still can't quite get the same richness that comes with dark chocolate. That's why I was so excited when I found Hershey's Special Dark.

NUTRITION FACTS
Serving Size: 1 tbsp
Calories: 20
Total Fat: 0.5 grams, 1%
Saturated Fat: 0%
Sodium: 65 mg, 3%
Carbohydrates: 3 grams
Fiber: 2 grams, 8%
Sugar: 0 grams
Protein: 1 gram

I added some to my oatmeal and found that it was transformed into the richest, fudgiest chocolate dessert ever. Yum! Delicious, rich, dark, and everything cocoa powder should be. What I like about using cocoa is I can scale up the chocolate factor while keeping calories in check by using Splenda or another sweetener; I can also adjust the level of sweetness to my liking.

Each tablespoon of Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa Powder provides just 10 calories, 0.5 grams of total fat, no sugars, 2 grams of fiber, 1 gram of protein, and 10% of the daily value for iron. I did not expect to see any fiber in the nutrition facts (but I'm sure glad it's there). The ingredients are, Cocoa and Cocoa Processed With Alkali.

sponsor

An 8-ounce container of Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa Powder cost me $3.99, but you can also purchase six 8-ounce cans for $18.99 at Amazon.com. Yes - 6 containers could last a very long time!

I love this stuff. It's my new favorite cocoa find, and I will continue to experiment by adding it to different recipes.

{Website: Hershey's Cocoa}

View the original article here

SAMBAZON Organic Freeze-Dried Acai Powder, Antioxidant Superfood, 90-Gram Jar

SAMBAZON Organic Freeze-Dried Acai Powder, Antioxidant Superfood, 90-Gram Jar

Price:

Click here to buy from Amazon