Personal Training

Recent Addictions + Pea Protein Review!

Posted on by Naomi
Ok, so I am sure that you all did my core conditoning workout today, right?! Okay, maybe not, but you should! Take a look at the video. Its a great workout for your abs, back, shoulders and glutes! Give it a go!

So have I mentioned that the weather the past week or so has been absolutely picturesque? There have been lots of these involved
Which is delicious for me, not so for my wallet, but so worth it. Lately I have been getting either plain iced coffee with a splash of skim milk (I add stevia afterwards) OR blueberry iced coffee with a splash of skim and stevia. Both are amazing, refreshing and so addicting!!
This weather is also addicting. It makes me want to move to California. Kind of. Well not really. Then I would miss my East Coast roots, but I could certainly wake up to this 85 degree, sunny weather every. single day. It makes me smile and just want to dance! Yes, makes me want to dance, ok?
Sunday, some girlfriends and I went to visit a friend who lives about an hour away from us in Newburyport, Ma. She lives on the beach. I mean there was sand in her driveway. She drives a beachy Jeep Wrangler and she is awesome. We rolled to the beach, four girls in tow, two beach chairs, two boogie boards and the Pitbull CD. I will let you have a visual of me in the front seat breaking out my dance moves, like I mentioned earlier
Oh HI! 
Oh, and I love Instagram. I am also addicted to that.
The beach we went to was on a funky little strip with surfer type shops. It made me feel like I was on the board walk at the Jersey Shore, not that I have ever been to the Jersey Shore, but I have watched the show, so just believe me…It was just like being there.
After a few hours of fun in the sun and frockling in the ocean, it was time for some grub! We headed back toward Newburyport and stopped at the perfect little place located right on the harbor

It was such a beautiful view, had a wonderful two decker patio and there was even a fun Jamaican style band playing! We all immediately felt transported to an island, far away from Massachusetts. It was so refreshing!!
The menu was packed with all sorts of yummy items from typical ‘bar food’ to eclectic seafood dishes and sandwiches! Obviously, I was going to go the seafood route for my meal, since this is what they are known for, and I love it. I kept going back to the ahi tuna burger which was served on a toasted english muffin (which I thought was so different and cool!) Instead of the fries, I opted for asparagus and I also ordered a small garden salad on the side for some veggie action

Simple side salad, nothing special. I got the balsamic vineagrette on the side. 
The Ahi Tuna!!! I also asked for sauteed mushrooms atop the burger. It was good, not amazing, but quite tasty. I wouldn’t go raving about, but the mushrooms definately helped add to the semi-bland flavor. I DID however love that it was served on an english muffin. It was slightly buttered and crispy and worked wonderfully with the whole ‘summer, light’ appeal to the sandwich
The asparagus. What can I say besides it tasted like a vat of butter. I should have known better to ask for it plain. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind a little butter on my veggies, but these were swimming in a pool of it.
It was the end to a perfect summer day.
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Now, moving on to another recent addiction that at first I acutally wanted to toss in the trash. Swanson Health was kind enough to reach out and provide me with a $25 gift card to use at their online store. I could choose any item or combination of items that I wanted. Of course I took this oppourtunity to try a protein powder I had been wanting to sample ever since I read about it several months ago.
Pea protein is a natural, vegetable based protein derived from yellow peas.  Yellow peas are more commonly known as “split peas” and are used extensively in food preparation such as in soups & purees.
  • Non-GMO
  • Hypoallergenic
  • 100% Gluten Free
  • Perfect for Vegans
  • 100% Cholesterol Free
  • 100% Plant-Based Protein
  • Highly Soluble & Easy to Digest
  • Source of Beneficial Amino Acids
  • Environmentally Friendly Source of Protein
  • Highly Suitable for Sustainable Agriculture

I really liked the stats. In 1 scoop there is 105 calories, 1g carbohydrate and 25g protein  
The color of the protein itself is a mellow yellow color. As soon as I opened it, it had a strong vanilla flavor which I really liked! I got to work right away making a post workout shake after my back and biceps routine
In the mix:
  • 1 scoop Olympian Labs Pea Protein
  • 1 T unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 6 ice cubes
  • 1/4 tsp xanthan and guar gums
  • 1/2 C unsweetened almond milk, 1/2 water
  • sprinkling of cinnamon
  • 1 packet of Stevia (I added this after I blended it and realized it needed a little sweetness)
  • 1/4 C raw oats (added to the shake afterwards)

I put all of the ingredients in the blender and after it was well combined, poured it into my shaker cup with 1/4 C raw oats.  The taste was quite strange at first, I think because I am not used to it. It does have a slight distinct ‘chalky’ flavor similar to that of rice protein, but I enjoyed it because it was sweeter. After a few sips, I decided I really enjoyed it! The powder blended perfectly, thick and creamy and the unsweetened cocoa powder was a great addition! I would suggest the stevia, or honey, agave; anything to give it a little extra sweetness makes it a whole lot better than it is by itself.

Two thumbs up! I had another one today and liked it even better! I am so happy that I chose this product.

Are you interested in getting some free Swanson Health Products goodies to review on your own blog? Then check out the Swanson Health Blogfor all the details.

If you’re interested in this opportunity (and reside in the United States), send an email to blogs@swansonhealth.com with a link to your blog, some ideas on the types of products you’d be interested in trying and your mailing address. See what the site has to offer:

Ready? Then send an email now to blogs@swansonhealth.com.

You can also “Like” Swanson Health on Facebook and Follow them on Twitter!

You better believe after my protein shake I just downed some more iced coffee. I think I would be happy living in a plastic cup of it for the time being. Well, okay I lied, I had this the next day, but the Wired Puppy is one of my all time favorite little coffee shops located on Newbury St in Boston. If you like coffee. I mean really good coffee. You must visit!

Okay, now I’m tired and hot and could really go for one of these right now
Then I’m going to dance

Questions:
What is your favorite source of protein these days?
Favorite summer drink? (alcoholic or non alcoholic!)


Naomi
Naomi