Some thoughts and discussions from me.
Easy Dessert: 3-Ingredient Quick-Energy Protein Balls {& Sunwarrior Protein GIVEAWAY!}
Congrats to Erika! Erika, please send me your address and I’ll get your protein shipped off to you! š
Good morning, babes! I hope your week is going well.
Good morning, babes! I hope your week is going well. Mineās going pretty great! I actually took an impromptu trip to Vegas mid-week, and now my bestestest friend from home is coming to visit for the weekend! You can catch these type of antics on my Instagram and Snapchat (TrainerPaige) if youād like š
So! Today I want to talk about protein powder – specifically, vegan protein powders.
I supplement with a protein smoothie just about every day; or at least about every day that I work out. Itās a quick, refreshing, tasty way to get in Ā protein, carbs, and micronutrients in one glass.Ā However, about once every 3 months, I stick to using only vegan protein powder for my shakes.
Why?
Well, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Iām busy teaching and training from 7a-1p. The only snack I can fit in there is a protein bar, so I know Iām gong to be having a whey protein bar (typically Oatmega or Quest <ānot sponsored/promoting, just relaying info.) Now, if I went home and had a whey protein shake every day after that, and after my workouts on other days, Iād be consuming at least eight servings of whey protein a week, provided I donāt have any extra servings like protein pancakes or muffins. That equals out to at least 416 servings a year.
Now, the thing with whey protein is itās extremely concentrated. So itās not like consuming chicken 416 times a year. Whey – and lactose – is also a high allergen food. While I donāt personally have any known allergies to any foods, I donāt want to develop an allergy or intolerance to whey. I love my whey protein!
My solution? Switching to a vegan protein powder every other month. Many of them also contain a lot of added nutrition, and some are pretty tasty! My go to as of lately has been Sunwarrior in Chocolate.
Sunwarrior recently reached out to me to review their protein powder, and since I love trying to find new, tasty vegan protein powders, I was excited to try it out.
Sunwarrior is a raw, plant-based protein and supplements line with a mix of enzymes, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Many of their products are organic, and their focus is on keeping all ingredients as close to what nature created as possible.
The particular type of their protein Iāve been using, the Classic PLUS variety, is certified organic, and includes raw sprouted rice protein, pea protein, chia seeds, quinoa, and amaranth. It contains 17 grams of protein for a 100 calorie scoop, is rich in Lysine, magnesium, manganese, iron, and other trace minerals, and is gluten free.
My go-to smoothie recipe Iāve been using has been my āFrostyā smoothie, as well as miss Cotterās (who is the healthy bites queen herself!)Ā coconut grape smoothie.
I also made these quick energy protein balls the other day using just 3 ingredients:
So guys, I feel foolish even calling this a ārecipeā because itās SO effing easy. But hereās the combo!
Sunwarrior 3-Ingredient Quick-Energy Protein Balls
-1/3 c. chocolate Sunwarrior Classis PLUS
-1/3 c. almond butter
1/4 c. honey
Mix it together – itāll take some elbow grease – and form into balls. Optional: roll it into coconut flakes or a cinnamon/sugar coating OR you can add a little pumpkin spice chip for an added fall touch, like I did to a few of them š Then pop into mouth! Such an easy dessert – or easy snack!
Get 20% off on all Warrior Blends right now on their website!Ā But, you also have the chance to win a tub of their Protein Powder yourself right now!
GIVEAWAY
To Enter:
Comment below with what is your favorite thing to make with protein powder, and what qualities you look for in a good protein powder!
Extra entry:Ā Share this postĀ [Tweet “Check out @TrainerPaige’s @sunwarrior Protein Powder recipe & GIVEAWAY! “]
This giveaway will be open until Wednesday, September 30th, when I’ll announce the winner in that morning’s post. It is open to US residents only.
Have a lovely day, babes! XO
I like using it in smoothies. And I like when it’s not too chalky.
I love making homemade protein bars! I have only tried them with whey protein but you make good points about not wanting to develop allergies. I think I might try a vegan powder the next time I purchase a tub!
I find that some plant based protein powders can be a bit chalky so when it comes down to it, I’m pretty picky about my protein powder (not a bad thing in my opinion). When I find one I like though, my preference is to have it in a smoothie or just shaken with a water/almond milk combo.
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More recently posted…Fitness Friday #38
Tweeeeeeted it! š
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More recently posted…Fitness Friday #38
My favorite thing to use protein powder in is in oatmeal. I love the taste of oatmeal, but unless there is protein powder or egg whites, it won’t be filling. The first protein powder I had was brown rice, and it was way too chalky — so that is definitely something I pay attention to!
I love making protein bites! Basically just throw protein, nut butter, and random mix-ins (coconut, dried fruit, honey, cinnamon, chocolate chips, etc.) together and form into balls! I look for a good tasting protein without a bunch of unnecessary junk that’ll mix well (either into bites or shakes).
Smoothies and pancakes. I’m going to branch out and try protein bites
I’ve been making peanut butter protein bars with NOW Foods vanilla protein powder…I love how it adds a hint of vanilla flavor without adding a gritty texture.
yay for bites and smoothies! <3
I love making protein shakes, dark chocolate peanut butter cups, and brownies with protein powder! I also add it to my oatmeal in the mornings! I try to look for organic or nonGMO powders that are plant based!
I love making smoothies with peanut butter and protein bites like these for after workouts!! And as an evening snack! I looks for a minimal ingredient list and good quality ingredients!
Smoothies are really hit or miss for me. I only make them when I am really really hot! I need to try other ways to use protein powder like your energy bites. Minimal “clean” ingredients are important for me and decent flavor.
Not going to lie – I’ve never really had protein powder! But I’ve always wanted to try making the protein muffins that I see online.
I love making healthy shakes with protein powder and look for a clean list of recognizable ingredients!
I love vegan protein powders that don’t use really sugar, but use stevia instead, and keep it simple with hemp, brown rice and pea protein. i also really appreciate added probiotics because i don’t think you can have too much of those. I would love to win and make some of these!
I love to make protein pancakes! I look for a protein powder that doesn’t have a bunch of added sugar, or a bunch of funky ingredients!
Just ran out of protein bites this morning š Time to make some more today!
My protein powder have to be gf/vegan/and soy-free, but really my favorite way to enjoy is always just mixed in to some almond milk!
Shared! https://www.pinterest.com/pin/267823509067849902/
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine recently posted…Friday Finisher 9/18/15
I love to make smoothies with protein
I love Sunwarrior! It’s one of my faves š I actually mostly use vegan protein because I’ve noticed that I’m more acne-prone when I have a good amount of whey or milk.
But aaaaaaanyway– my favorite thing to make with protein powder are Amazeballs! It’s a fitnessista recipe– so good!
Brittany recently posted…Our Honeymoon
My favorite thing to make with protein powder is a classic chocolate peanut butter protein shake: chocolate protein powder; frozen banana; unsweetened cocoa powder (I like it extra chocolate-y!); PB2; ice; and unsweetened almond milk. The best!
Also, I look for low sugar content and no artificial ingredients in a protein powder.
Shared it! https://www.pinterest.com/pin/504543964482411603/
my favorite way to mix up my protein powder is to add it to my quinoa porridge. nothing mind blowing, but it’s tasty!
I love doing smoothies so I can throw in a bunch of spinach or kale to get an extra serving of veggies. I can stand the chalky protein powders. I am using the sun warrior vanilla and really like it!
a thick smoothie than i can top with granola and eat with a spoon!
Look delish. I can’t endorse that AB cause I work for the competitor! š
Jody – Fit at 57 recently posted…Do You Need a Weight Belt for Lifting? Happy Bday again
AB?
love making smoothies with protein powder!
shared this post as well: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/56295064069494366/
I love to add protein powder to my oatmeal! When buying a protein powder, the ingredients are the #1 thing I look at, especially artificial sweeteners since those upset my stomach!
I regularly add a scoop of protein to my oatmeal. It definitely has to taste good! I love vega & kura but am always looking for new powders to try!
I love putting protein powder in smoothies with fruit and veggies. I try and buy a powder that doesn’t have ingredients that I do not recognize!
I am pretty simple in my ways to use protein powder. To me nothing beats a good ol’ green smoothie with lots o’kale + almond milk + vanilla protein powder + your choice frozen fruit. I have tried many protein powders but my rule for all of them is to not have any ingredients I can’t pronounce. Its a pretty easy way to avoid any funky ingredients.
protein bars/bites. minimal ingredient list and taste.
I love using protein powder in smoothies! I always look for high quality ingredients, as well as protein powders with minimal sugars.
The most important protein powder factors to me are low added sugar, high protein, mixability, and recognizable ingredients. I love Sunwarrior protein!
I shared on twitter: https://twitter.com/j_mosh/status/646893869636943872
I add protein powder to my smoothies, I look for one that does not have sugar or fake sugar/sweeteners and preferably organic.
My favorite thing to make is no-bake energy bars. I don’t have one set recipe, but I like to combine nut butters, nut powders, protein powder, dried fruits and nuts, hemp hearts, honey, sometimes cacao and/or nibs. I like to use it for smoothies, too. I haven’t tried Sunwarrior, I would love to, I primarily look for quality ingredients.