Good Morning and HAPPY EARTH DAY!!!!(I dont think that I have to say this but this is not my picture, sorry I am not that good. yet.)
I got a sweet package from Optimum Nutrition!!! I used their products religiously for 2 years. I had to pull myself off of processed foods completely and allow myself to intuitively eat so I haven't had any HUGE containers in my house for about a year and a half now. When I was contacted by them I was excited to see what they had to offer! I will say, with it being smoothie season, I am ready to introduce some new protein powder to my shakes. I need some quick digesting protein before and after my work outs. Here is Optimum Nutrition's mission statement:
Optimum Nutrition strives to produce distinctive, affordable, premium-quality products while making every effort to anticipate ever-changing customer needs and meet the demands of a dynamic market with innovative products, effective support materials, and unsurpassed service.
Let me tell you a bit about the company and how they got started: Optimum Nutrition, Inc. (ON) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Glanbia, a leading international cheese and nutritional ingredients group. ON owns and operates two brands of nutritional supplements (Optimum Nutrition and American Body Building) providing a comprehensive line of products across multiple categories. With state-of-the-art production facilities occupying over 500,000 square feet of operating space, ON is the only sports nutrition company to manufacture items in every product category. Whether it's nutritional bars, protein powders, ready-to-drink sports beverages, or vitamins, essential minerals, and herbs, Optimum Nutrition is able to control the integrity of all products through in-house manufacturing. Supported by Costello's Health Distributors (Optimum Nutrition's sister distribution company) and ABB's nationwide direct service distribution network, customers are ensured prompt delivery and unmatched customer support. Collectively, Optimum Nutrition, American Body Building, and Costello's Health Distributors, are the dominant force in the sports nutrition industry with the highest quality products available in health food stores, specialty stores, gyms and progressive retailers everywhere.
History
Optimum Nutrition was founded in 1986 by brothers Tony and Michael Costello. Originally known as Costello's Health Distributors, the entrepreneurial brothers soon recognized an opportunity in the need for significantly improved quality and innovative vision in the sports nutrition industry. The Optimum Nutrition brand was launched to satisfy both demands, and after 22 years of success reflected in great part by the ongoing best-selling status of ON Gold Standard 100% Whey, the Costello's entered into agreement to sell the company to the international cheese and nutritional ingredients group Glanbia.
Quality Counts
Our commitment to quality is evident throughout the entire product development process. Before a single machine is turned on we carefully select vendors who supply premium raw materials. All vendors must provide a Certificate of Analysis for each raw material as a continued measure of quality. These certificates are then verified through random in-house and independent laboratory testing. Highly sophisticated equipment confirms the purity and potency of every ingredient on our labels. To further diminish any chance of physical, chemical, and microbiological contaminants, we have established and implemented our own Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) program. Quality assurance professionals make routine checks on all storage, blending, and production areas and conduct final inspections daily. Together, these procedures allow Optimum Nutrition to constantly deliver first-rate sports nutrition supplements under the strictest quality control standards known as current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs).
This matters to me a lot because so often in the the bodybuilding world you are given misleading information and worse...products that claim one thing and do another. Now, you know that I am a "clean" eater and I am totally against packaging, harmful chemicals and processed foods. I am however a smoothie lover and like to have added protein before and after my workouts. When I got this package I was siked to see that they sent me some items that I would actually use! There was a time in my life that I lived on HUGE containers of Whey Protein...I hate to say it but it just left me with the worst gas in the world. I had to tell you, sorry. What I found was I was actually getting protein poisoning. I thought that I was just bloated but in fact, I was eating (drinking) WAY too much protein. I didn't understand how I could be gaining weight on a liquid diet! Well....you can if you are eating 5 times the amount of protein your body can process. See, your body can only digest 30 grams of protein in one sitting. That means if you are eating (or drinking) something that has say 50 your body will take the 30 grams and then store the rest as fat. Yep, this is how you gain weight (fat) on a liquid diet. I would down a smoothie packed with 60 or 70 grams of protein and then my next meal the same thing. Gross...I know. I was eating cans of tuna like it was gum. I was also pure muscle and what I like to call "thick". Lets just say, if you didn't actually touch me and see that I was totally ripped with nothing but 9% body fat on me, you would have thought I was fat. I was so dicouraged when I was out growing my clothes and didn't eat what I wanted. I ate nothing but tuna, fat free cottage cheese, Why protein, egg whites and greek yogurt. Yep, even more gross. It did the trick but I was completely brain dead by the end of the day. I was eating no fat to make my brain useful and no carbs to use for energy. Competition diets suck and I thought that I could live off one. So wrong! Anyway, years later I know better and I will say this canned tuna will never ever be consumed by me again! I do however, love me a smoothie! Mine are totally different now!
I got a package from
www.optimumnutrition.com
What was in the box was 100% Casein powder Hydro Whey, Recovery 2:1:1 and a few protein bars. The first thing that caught my eye was the casein powder. I have taken BCAA's, whey protein and everything under the sun but I have yet to try the casein powder. Well, there is a time and place for everything, now is my time to try this out!
Sometimes slower is better - especially when it comes to the rate of protein digestion. While rapid protein absorption is desirable immediately before or after exercise, delayed release is probably more beneficial throughout the remainder of the day.Casein proteins are pH sensitive and gel in the acidic environment of the stomach. As a result, it can take more than twice as long for caseins to be broken-down into their amino acid subcomponents than whey and other proteins. Because of their unique time-released qualities, caseins are aptly described as anti-catabolic or muscle-protecting proteins. I liked the casein powder. I mixed it with cold water and it became a pudding of sorts. I am excited to see what gains I can make with this nighttime snack. Make sure you read to the end to get a sweet recipe with casein!
The second item that caught my eye was the Recover 2:1:1.
What you eat, when you eat it, and how much you eat has a dramatic effect on your performance. But, not all nutrient combinations work equally well. 2:1:1 Recovery is based on the latest science demonstrating that blending different types of carbs and proteins maximizes absorption and leads to better results than the use of larger amounts of any single type. Hydrolyzed whey, micellar casein, and egg albumen proteins provide immediate and sustained amino acid delivery for repair and rebuilding while the precise ratio of simple sugars and rapidly-digesting carbs in 2:1:1 Recovery helps refuel and replenish hard-working muscles. And with 5 grams of added BCAAs in the proven 2:1:1 ratio of Leucine to Isoleucine to Valine to stimulate muscle protein synthesis, there’s no question that 2:1:1 Recovery is an indispensable part of every serious athlete’s routine.The Rapid Recovery Ratios
Beyond The Basics
2:1 ratio of carbohydrates to proteins
Optimal CARB COMBINATION for FASTEST ABSORPTION
Blends FASTER, intermediate, and slower acting PROTEINS for sustained amino acid delivery
Loaded with HYDROLYZED WHEY PROTEIN ISOLATES
Fortified with 5 GRAMS of ADDED BRANCHED CHAIN AMINO ACIDS (BCAAs) . It was a little scary to see 70 grams of protein in one package for me but after reading about this product it totally makes sense. I drink a recovery drink after my workouts on my lower carb days. It doesn't effect the number of carbs for the day if I stick to this and omit the tons of fruit I usually have. I carb/calorie cycle and this is just what I need to get my body on recovered from my brutal workouts. Over the winter months I did only one interval crazy workout at the gym (on my lunch usually) and then some sort of cardio after work (walking for a hour 4 days a week, running for 30 minutes 3 days). NOW, it will be 2 interval training sessions a day with the cardio of choice. I am so glad that Spring is here because now I feel like swimming! In the winter I just cant bring myself to put on a swim suit and get in the pool. No matter how heated it is. I am starting my pool schedule starting today! YAY! I plan to start swimming two to three days a week. I have had a few of you ask me what my Spring/Summer routine will be. You all know that I change my workouts every 10 weeks. It is a must to keep my body guessing. Sometimes I change just the time that I go or the entire workout. Starting TODAY it is going to be all new! (be warned....it's a lot.)
Monday- 12:30-1:30 Walking for a hour (3.5 miles), 5:00-6:30 Walking (4.25 miles), 8:00-8:30 30 minutes yoga
Tuesday- 12:30-1:30 Interval training full body workout, 5:00-6:30 4.25 mile walk.
Wednesday-12:30-1:30 3.50 mile walk, 5:00-5:30 3 mile interval run, 8:00-8:30 yoga
Thursday-12:30-1:30 full body weighted interval training, 30 minutes of swimming, 8:00-8:30 30 minutes of yoga
Friday-12:30-1:30 3.50 mile walk (I dont do anything after work, this is my "rest" day.
Saturday-3 mile run, 1 hour interval full body workout, 30 minutes of swimming,
Sunday- 4 mile walk, 1 hour interval training, 30 minutes swimming.
I am crazy...I know. Somehow I still find the time to do everything. I don't know how. If I have a training session with a client then I will use the session as my workout for the day depending on the person. Some people just want me to stand there and tell them what to do and some actually need me to do it with them. On to the other gems in the package shall we?
Here is the Whey protein that I got:
Platinum Hydrowhey is the fastest, purest, most advanced whey protein we've ever developed. In a word: excellence. By hydrolyzing the protein in this premium formula we've created our fastest-acting whey protein yet. Hydrolyzing breaks larger proteins down into smaller pieces that are able to get into your system rapidly, enabling your muscles to start rebuilding quickly. For added effectiveness, we've also enhanced this revolutionary formula with digestive enzymes and micronized branched chain amino acids (BCAAs). In addition to being fast, Platinum Hydrowhey is also ultra-pure. That's because it's made entirely with hydrolyzed whey protein isolates. So there's no excess fat, cholesterol, or lactose to slow down your progress.Find out more at: platinumhydrowhey.com
Beyond The Basics
Made With advanced Hydrolyzed Whey Protein Isolates for Faster Delivery
30 Grams of Ultra-Pure Protein Per Serving
Nearly 9 Grams of Leucine, Isoleucine, and Valine (BCAAs)
No Lactose, Cholesterol, or Sugar
Contains Digestive Enzymes for Enhanced Utilization
Instantized to Mix Easily With a Spoon
This mix was amazing in my smoothies! I LOVED both the casein and the Whey! So lets see some smoothie porn shall we?
Up first:Strawberry Protein Baby
8 strawberries
1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
3 ice cubes
dash of cinnamon
and two table spoons of chia seeds
Next up! Get Yer Green On Smoothie Queen
1 cup fresh spinach (no you cant taste the spinach at all)
1/2 cup blueberries
1/2 banana
1 cup of unsweetened vanilla almond milk
3 ice cubes
fresh mint
1 scoop protein powder
Last: Orange Islands Dream
1/4 cup shredded coconut
1 frozen peeled orange
2 slices of pineapple
1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
hand full of goji berries
1 scoop of protein powder
3 ice cubes
As if these amazing smoothie creations weren't enough how about this baby!!!!
Holy Crap This Tastes Like Dairy Queen Exploded In My Mouth But Not, Mixed Berry Protein Popsicle Fairy!I crack myself up sometimes....It's true.
Yes, I did it! I made Popsicles to have at night and the best part is....I am going to be building necessary muscle in the process!!! Bahahahahaha!
Ok, calm down. I am sorry but when I had my first one I thought, oh my!
Now if I can figure out a way to make a margarita and it be healthy I will be awesome. Wait. I already did!!! Hahahaha! Your going to have to wait for another post though for that one!
Without further ado:
Mixed Berry Protein Popsicle Fairy:
Ingredients: 2 cups plain low-fat or fat free greek yogurt
2 scoops vanilla-flavored protein powder (or casein if it is a night time treat).
2 cups frozen berries
1/4 cup agave nectar
Directions:Place all ingredients in the bowl of a food processor or blender. Process until just combined. Pour into popsicle molds or Dixie cups with a popsicle stick centered in the mixture. Freeze.
Makes: 10 to 12 popsicles
Serving Size: 1 popsicle
Each serving provides: Calories: 77, Total fat: 0.2g, Saturated fat: 0g, Protein: 5g, Carbs: 14g, Fiber: 1g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Sodium: 40mg.
I didnt blend this I mixed this by hand because I wanted to have big chunks of berries and thought it would look pretty. Boy did it! This is the easiest clean diet friendly summer treat I can think of. Add what you want...Chia seeds, cocao nibs (mmmmmm so going to do this!), amazing grass powder, maca or even nuts! I am telling you MAKE THIS NOW and thank me later! This is something you can have anytime. Before a workout, after, before bed (when my sweet tooth kicks in). The great thing is...your getting your protein and your doing it right!
Thanks to Optimum Nutrition I am lovin my smoothie time once again! They get two thumbs up from me!
-Heather
