I love the taste of whey protein powder. Is that weird? After a hard workout I crave a cold protein shake. My personal favorite combo is one scoop Designer Protein Gourmet Chocolate, 2 tbsp PB2 and vanilla almond milk. It’s a little like a Reese’s in a cup?
Designer Protein has been my go-to whey protein powder for as long as I can remember. I have added a plant based protein powder to my rotation to get my DHA, but it’s taste isn’t nearly as pleasant as my Designer Protein Whey protein Powder. Designer Protein Whey actually tastes like a treat. A 100 calories a scoop – and 18 grams of muscle building protein – kind of treat.
(Please note: as of May 2018 I am an affiliate for Designer Protein. If you purchase a product from them via my links I will be compensated.)
Even just a scoop of Gourmet Chocolate mixed with water does the trick. Most protein powders can’t say that. Many others taste horrible and are chalky without some form of milk and added ingredients to create a palatable consistency and give them sweetness and flavor. Designer Whey, with it’s natural stevia sweetness, tastes great with nothing at all. When I mix it with a little water to create the topping for my Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal I lick the bowl because it tastes so good!
Just because the flavors do taste so good on their own, however, doesn’t mean you can’t get fancy with it. Here are some of my favorite shake recipes – all using Designer Whey:
- The Iron Woman Smoothie – featuring spinach, Vanilla Praline Designer Whey, mango and butternut squash.
- The Almond Joy – one scoop Designer Whey Gourmet Chocolate and 8 oz of coconut water.
- Thai Chai Shake – my love of tea knows no bounds. This one is a combo of chai tea, French Vanilla Designer Whey, cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Carrot Cake Protein Shake – You want a treat, this is dessert in a glass! Designer Whey Vanilla Praline with carrot juice, cinnamon and ginger.
But protein powder isn’t just about shakes. I use Designer Whey products for so much more.
- Every Sunday is Pancake Sunday! Have you tried my Vanilla Coconut Protein Pancakes? Designer Whey Vanilla Praline protein powder and coconut oil are the secret ingredients.
- Speaking of breakfast, sometimes I do oatmeal for dinner. Steel cut oats are a breeze with the refrigerator method. I put ½ cup water and ¼ cup steel cut oats in a glass bowl that I let sit for 6-8 hours in the refrigerator (all day in my case). When it’s time to eat I add one scoop Gourmet Chocolate and 1 tbsp milled flaxseed. Then I heat in the microwave for about 35 seconds.
- I love making my own protein bars. Oxygen Magazine has a great no bake protein bar recipe. When you use Gourmet Chocolate they taste a little like no bake cookies! Vanilla works great too. If I don’t have time to make my own (which happens quite often) Designer Whey makes a protein bars too. My favorite – Peanut Butter Crunch.
- Technically it’s a shake, but have you tried Protein2Go? This product saves my life during long training days, conferences or traveling. Protein2Go is a single serve packet of protein powder that pours into your water bottle. It’s only 50 calories but the 10 grams of protein keeps me feeling full and satisfied. Although they’ve recently made some changes to their flavors (I miss you Pomegranate!) the Lemonade flavor is a nice substitute.
I say that you can’t live on shakes alone. But protein powders and bars can be an extremely useful and satisfying tool for any busy lady.
