Powders that Mix Well & Taste Delicious

Nutritional Powders are only as good as they mix and taste.

I think everyone is on board to enjoying a refreshing smoothie or green drink these days. I really enjoy making mine from fresh raw ingredients using a VitaMix power blender. I've got that down to a science now so it's almost like second nature.  It's just some days I'm in a hurry and need to throw some powder into a little almond milk or water to hit the road.

Rainbow Light's Chocolate Protein Energizer mixes easily and tastes delicious.

My VitaMix 5200 Power Blender combines raw produce with my nutritional powders.

Nutritional Powders  
Food based nutritional powders can make a big difference in your health and can help fill in the gaps in your diet when pressed for time. You can mix them with raw produce or use them alone or even in combination. I've tried all kinds of protein powders since my days at Gold's Gym.  Most I've had were clumpy, lumpy and bad tasting! One top of that, many on the market were made of the cheaper soy proteins which can cause bloating and indigestion. So starting with the protein based powders, here are my favorites for ingredients, ease of mixing and taste:

Best Tasting, Formulated & Mixable Protein Powders

1.) Rainbow Light Whey Protein Energizer
20 grams of protein, 15 servings per container
Pros: This powder has added energizing and digestive botanicals and enzymes. Comes in a space saving pouch. All of the Protein Energizers, (Whey, Chocolate & Acai Berry Blast) are absolutely delicious.
Cons: Recommends that a blender or shaker cup be used. 


2.) Reservage Grass Fed Whey Protein - Vanilla
20 grams of Protein, 12 servings per container
Pros: Incredibly scrumptious natural vanilla flavor. Has small amounts of Vitamin A and Iron but 20% of your RDA of calcium. Sourced from Grass Fed cows for natural rBST and rBGH hormone free whey. Mixes very easily.

Cons: None really but the Chocolate version of the Grass Fed Whey Protein flavor is not as tasty as the vanilla.


Best Food Based Powders
The following powders are more for nutrition, improving alkalinity and antioxidant support.  They offer concentrates of fruits and vegetables with out having to resort to the blender. 

1.) Re-Body Greens
25 calories per serving, 34 servings per container
Pros: Too many to list, actually! However for starters: Organic Chia seed and Kale powders plus a plant based probiotic & enzyme blend for optimal absorption. This product, while concentrated, is very easy to blend and contains additional grasses, sea algae and organic vegetables like broccoli and spinach. The taste is very good with a slight hint of kelp.
Cons: None 
  
2.) Nature's Approved Grape Seed Powder
23 calories per serving, 28 servings per container
Pros: Grape Seed has a very high ORAC index.  Its antioxidants are measured at minimum 165,000 umolTE/100 grams which is about 70 times that of blueberries. Extremely versatile and finely ground, it can be used in drinks but also added to pancake batter and bread recipes. Used topically, grape seed powder makes a wonderful addition to face creams, masques and cleansers. A little goes a long way.
Cons: None

Grape Seed Powder and coconut oil were both added to this scrumptious walnut-oatmeal bread

BEST Chicken a La Orange

Try something new like this sweet and sour twist on Chicken a la Orange!  Skillet: M'Stone Non-Stick Fry Pan by Mauviel of France

Chicken breasts can be your best friend, (in the kitchen anyway)!  I keep a bag of frozen, boneless-skinless chicken breasts in my deep freezer as they can be prepared and added to so many dishes at a moment's notice.  Simply take what you need and set the defrost button on your microwave to soften them up a bit.  

No need to thaw them out completely though.  They actually slice better if they are a bit firm and for this dish, you'll want something like one inch cubes of chicken.  This is SO fast.  Grab an orange and let's go:


BEST Chicken A La Orange Recipe

2 boneless-skinless Chicken Breasts
1 Large Orange
3 tbsps of flour plus 1 teaspoon of Organic Grape Seed Flour for dredging
1 teaspoon Sazon Goya
2 tbsps of Orange Marmalade for finishing glaze
2 tbsps of Organic Virgin Coconut Oil for sauteeing 

Cut the partially frozen chicken breasts into 1 inch cubes and season with Sazon Goya. Next dredge the chicken chunks in your flour mixture and set aside.
Start heating your skillet and add 2 tablespoons of extra virgin coconut oil.
Section your fresh orange and cut into chunks.
Once the oil is hot (coconut oil remains stable at high temperatures) add in your floured chicken cubes, sautee and turn when one side is golden brown.
Add your fresh orange sections and continue cooking until chicken is thoroughly done, about 15 minutes.
Once the chicken is thoroughly cooked, stir in 2 tablespoons of Marmalade to the pan.
Cover and set aside for 5 minutes.
Serve over rice or potatoes.  Easy, quick and GOOD!

VARIATION:
Want more of an Asian kick?  Try adding in 1/8 teaspoon of ground ginger root and a teaspoon of Kikoman Soy Sauce for that sweet and sour connection.  Delicious over ramen noodles.

Grape Seed flour adds flavor and antioxidants while coconut oil withstands high heat without breaking down

 

Easy Walnut Oatmeal Bread Recipe

Moist, light and delicious.  Homemade Walnut-Oatmeal Bread! Photo: Presto Bread Slicing System

There is nothing better to fill the house than the smell of fresh baked bread. This is my all around favorite sandwich loaf but this recipe has a few secret ingredients that add both flavor and antioxidants.  Organic Grape Seed Flour and Extra Virgin Coconut Oil.  Here's how to punch up your next loaf:


Easy Walnut Oatmeal Bread (Bread Machine Version)
Yield: 1 1/2 Pound loaf, 12 slices 

2/3 cup milk
1/3 cup water
2 tablespoons Nature's Approved Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons Brown Sugar
1 tablespoon Nature's Approved Grape Seed Flour
2 tablespoons Oatmeal
1/2 cup Walnuts
3 cups Bread Flour
2 1/4 teaspoons yeast

Bring all your ingredients to room temperature.  Whisk the dry ingredients, (except the walnuts and yeast) in a large bowl and set aside.  Proof your yeast by dissolving it in 1/3 cup of warm water plus 2 tablespoons of brown sugar. Set it in a warm spot and let it get foamy.  If it doubles in size after 10 minutes, you know it's active.

Next measure and warm your 2/3 cup of milk and 2 tablespoons of coconut oil. Add both your milk/oil mixture and the developed yeast to your oiled bread machine bowl. Lastly, add in the dry ingredients into the container and start the machine.  If your unit is like mine, it will beep to tell you when to add the walnuts. 
When baking is complete, remove bread from the machine and let cool for about an hour on a wire rack. I have a bread slicing rack so I am able to get even slices.  

This bread is perfect for sandwiches or to be eaten with a little butter and jam. It also makes a wonderful hostess gift for Easter and other celebrations. Check HERE for more easy to bake bread recipes with or without a bread machine.

A bread machine like my Breadman can turn out a fresh baked loaf in about 3 hours.

The Grape Seed Flour, Coconut Oil and Walnuts all add extra nutrition and antioxidants to the bread.  The Coconut Oil made the loaf very light and moist, almost like commercial bread. Even the crust was light and flaky.  The taste?  Absolutely delicious!  The Grape Seed Flour is very fine and turned the loaf a beautiful golden brown.  To purchase the same organic Grape Seed Powder and Extra Virgin Coconut Oil used in this recipe, visit Nature's Approved Online.

Try some Sunbutter on your Walnut Oatmeal Bread!