#PlantFusionNewYear

Now, you all know I love me some protein powder... all kinds of protein powders actually, so I was very pleased to be chosen to take part in a New Year's Challenge sponsored by PlantFusion. You may recall that I reviewed/gave away some PlantFusion protein powder a few months ago... and really came to love the taste and nutritional profile of these all-vegan powders.

So, when I was offered a chance to try their new LEAN powder, I eagerly accepted.

PlantFusion LEAN is a protein powder that has been formulated to curb hunger, boost energy, and manage blood sugar to support us through our workouts and busy days.  It is gluten-free, and that is always my first consideration.

I was asked to use the product for 8 weeks and invited to take part in a private Facebook support group. I was not asked for a review or any specific social media shares.  I chose my own challenge goals and found they are quite compatable with, and along the lines of, those of the other members.

PlantFusion is an American company, and it did take a bit of extra time for the Canadian participants to get their product shipments.  The larger group had already completed 2 weeks of the challenge by the time my first package arrived.

2 tubs of LEAN, one Vanilla Bean and the other, Chocolate Brownie, a shaker bottle, and a cute green tee... softest fabric you can imagine!

When they realized the delay, they sent the second shipment almost immediately, and it arrived today!

2 tubs of LEAN, Vanilla Bean and Chocolate Brownie, and a fabulous metal water bottle that is insulated... for hot or cold drinks.  Don't you love love love the color?

For the first 2 weeks of my challenge, I used the LEAN as prescribed by PlantFusion.  I made a shake with the powder and about 10 ounces of tap water.  I drank one shake before my morning workouts and the other as an afternoon snack a couple of hours before I ate my dinner.  I love the taste of both flavors... and I was really pleased that PlantFusion Vanilla Bean is as tasty as the other other PlantFusion Vanilla Bean powders.  It really is the BEST vanilla flavor of any powders I have tried.

I also found the LEAN to be very filling and it certainly did keep me satisfied for a few hours after drinking it.

Chocolate Brownie LEAN

Vanilla Bean LEAN

By week 3 I was honestly getting kind of tired of having a shake for my afternoon snack every day so started making my cookie dough mixtures with the LEAN... and ate it greedily!  I also mixed it with Greek yogurt for a change of pace.

One serving of LEAN is larger than most of the other powders I use so I made sure to weigh it on my scale each time to ensure I got the whole 42g.

I have not had much experience actually baking with a vegan powder but I did use the Chocolate Brownie LEAN in a mug cake... this was my breakfast today... a cake with a bit of yogurt and some berries on top... YUM!

I am sure this will easily see me through my mid-morning run.  Off I go!

If you are looking for a protein powder to support  your weight loss or muscle building efforts, I would certainly recommend you try this PlantFusion LEAN.

Nuzest Giveaway CLEAN LEAN PROTEIN

Here is something fabulous I want to share with you today....

Nuzest has a terrific giveaway going on till the end of February.  Nuzest is a vegan protein powder that tastes great and mixes well with any liquid you choose.  You can also bake with it!

Check this out!

Use this link to enter the contest on the Nuzest site.

CLEAN LEAN PROTEIN

What is your favorite way to use protein powder in your food plan?

In a Word... Spring!

Yes, there are finally, and definitely, signs of Spring in my neighborhood!

This Winter was a harsh one, relatively speaking. Most years we get a few nights of frost at most, and the odd year, we get some actual snowfall.  This year was really odd, as we had snow on the ground three different times.

Now, for those of you who live where there is real, cold, snowy Winter on a regular basis, that will not mean anything to you.  But here, where most people don't live with snow, they never learn how to drive in it, they don't know how to dress for it, and they don't shovel their sidewalks.  It can be very dangerous to be out and about, and often kind of amusing.

But it is finally gone. No more snow or cold days in the forecast and I am very thankful... our walks are getting longer again and the warmer, sunnier days are luring me outdoors more often.  One day recently we spent some time hunting down signs of Spring in the neighborhood... Normally by the first week of February my city is blanketed in a spectacular show of pink blossoms... we have thousands of flowering plum and cherry trees here... but this year they are just getting started! But we did find some pretty flowers and some sun-bathing ducks.

Hope to see a lot more of these days soon!

How is Spring shaping up in your neighborhood, or are  you still blanketed in snow?

What are you most looking forward to in the Spring?

A Book Review.... SUPERLIFE by Darin Olien

I am a voracious reader of anything and everything nutrition or fitness related. When I was given the opportunity to receive a free copy of Darin Olien's book, Superlife, I eagerly accepted.   It has been a most interesting read, I can assure you.

Darin Olien holds a BA in exercise physiology and nutrition, and an MA in psychology.  One of his more notable accomplishments was partnering with Beachbody to formulate the popular whole-food supplement called Shakeology, and the comprehensive plant-based Ultimate Reset 21-day detox program.  Just to make it clear, that I have no Beachbody affiliation and did not know this when I opted to read and review the book.

So... what does Darin have to say about a Superlife?

He puts forth the theory that we can maximize our body's natural potential by focusing on five simple forces... Quality Nutrition, Hydration, Detoxification, Oxygenation, and Alkalization... that determine whether we will be fit, healthy, and free of illness.

Having travelled the world, doing research and exploring the health properties of various foods that have sustained indigenous cultures for centuries, he explains in an easy-to-read manner how to use these foods and practices to maintain healthy weight, prevent serious illnesses, and feel great.

The book is full of simple ideas and easy-to-follow to-do lists and guides to putting his ideas into everyday practice.  He explains each of the five forces... what it is and why it is important, and then tells us how to go about applying it to our own lives on a daily basis.

And, finally, he gives advice about how to purge and re-stock our pantries and kitchens, and offers a simple eating plan with some recipes, and finally, daily tips to help along the way.

It is a terrific read for anyone interested in nutrition and healthy living. It is packed with useful information and tips that are practical and easy to apply.  I have already put some new ideas into place in my own household.

You can purchase a copy for yourself at Harper Collins online.  And you can learn more about the author, Darin Olien on his website.

Although I was given a copy of this book for review purposed, all opinons are my own.

What about you?  Do you like to read about nutrition and healthy living?

Patience... Yeah I am Finally Claiming That Virtue!

I did not make any New Year's resolutions for 2017.  I am always open to new challenges as they present themselves and like to follow up on new ideas and fitness/food trends to see how they fit me so I don't like to lock myself into long-term resolutions.

I was planning to start the 12-week Metabolic Prime workouts again on January 9th along with The Captain. We have been through the program once, and really liked it so thought we would start again, with a large group in a challenge organized by founder Jade Teta... but it was not to be.

A couple of days before the end of the year, I was hit hard by a nasty virus that seems to be going around my city right now.  It has been mostly a head cold, with a non-stop runny nose and a bit of coughing... but more than that, for about 8 or 9 days it left me as weak as a kitten and I could barely sit up for more than a few minutes at a time.  Of course The Captain caught it from me and has been a couple of days behind me in getting over it... some symptoms linger even now.

So, the theme for the month of January has been PATIENCE... never my strong suit. Nope, not me. I have never been one to call this one of my virtues. As a matter of fact, I always like to say that my older sister got it all and there was none left for me.  She has it in abundance... to the point of being annoying at times.

But I am quite pleased to report that it is something that I have learned... through no choice of my own... these past few weeks.

In the past, on the very rare occasions when I have been ill, I have always just chomped at the bit to get back to my normal activities and pushed myself to my physical limits at times, to get back to running, to working out, to get on with my daily activities.  But not this time.  I allowed myself to rest, to sleep, to watch endless hours of Downton Abbey on the television... and to sleep some more.

And I think it has been really good for me to take the time I needed both physically and mentally to get over the illness.

I have been paying attention to the signals my body is sending and being really mindful of how I am feeling and reacting.

When I started to feel better, I began reading some nutrition books by a Canadian trainer named Harley Pasternak, and found that his food and exercise philosophy suits me quite well.  It is mostly common sense I think.   I have been making sure to give my body the proper nutrition and fuel it requires.

And I began very slowly with my exercise again... from having no stamina to doing some short outdoor walks when it has been warm enough.... some more vigorous indoor walking and stretching and lower body work with just body weight so far on colder days.

And I am ready to begin the Metabolic Prime workouts again.. or will be by Monday... so only a week behind the group.  And I will approach it gently but with enthusiasm.

What kind of start has your new year had?

Any new lessons learned so far?