So, I was at
Trader Joe's with a friend of mine when we went to the convention a few weeks ago. Seriously, if we are close to a
Trader Joe's there is a homing device that goes off in our heads..."must go now". Ok, I didn't need anything, but the Hemp Protein Powder caught my eye. (Jay Robb, I want you, but I still can't justify spending the money on you!) I haven't jumped on the protein powder bandwagon, but I was intrigued with the price and the nutritional stats. I figured, why not? Besides, it is vanilla flavored...me and vanilla go hand in hand...you know, like peas and carrots!
When I am not at home, I don't get a whole lot of protein, so I figured only 130 calories in 1/4 cup and 9 grams of protein...with some Omega 3's mixed in...my body would be lovin' life! Look at that ingredient list! I can identify everything in it!
I made my cup of oatmeal from the hot water in the coffee pot. Works like a charm!
I was a little scared when I saw the powder. Even though I had read others' reviews of hemp protein and that it is green, well it never dawned on me that it would be green when I bought it. Ok, I am not afraid of green food, so I went ahead with my baby steps and put a couple of tablespoons in it. Mixed it all up and dove in. Um, weird, but not bad. Kept eating, after a couple of bites...I fell in love with it. I love the vanilla undertones and the earthy flavor. I know that sounds strange, but yeah, it has an earthy flavor. I guess since I put flax in my oats anyway, I am used to an earthy quality to my oats. I am sure I have lost most of you by now. Every time I mention hemp protein, peoples eyes glaze over like I am crazy!
This is my cup from this morning. I wanted to show you the applesauce, hemp and cinnamon. This was before the mixing part of the equation. With a little almond milk on top and a packet of
NuNaturals Stevia to sweeten the pot...perfection!
I will spare you the picture, but I love this stuff so much that I mixed 2 TBSP vanilla hemp protein powder with 2 TBSP almond milk and poured it over chopped fresh apples. Now that was a great snack! I know, I have lost most of you on this. What if I offered you some fudge? Would you go along with me?
Sorry vanilla, but I am now seeing chocolate! Maybe it is hormones or maybe my crazy experimenting gene, but I decided to try out some banana split overnight oats with a fudge topping! I am not sure that I am in love with overnight oats, but I hear it takes a little bit of time to get used to them so I am not giving up yet. However, this fudge topping has been on my oats for over a week now because it is that crazy good! Besides, I am totally getting my antioxidant fix with this! Even
the illustrator liked it and that says a lot!
Hemp Fudge Topping
2 TBSP vanilla hemp protein powder
1 TBSP cocoa powder
15 drops
NuNaturals cocoa stevia
1 packet
NuNaturals stevia powder
1 TBSP water
Mix it all up and enjoy! YUM!
I know this may seem like a lot of sweetener, but it is chocolate and it cuts the bitterness of the cocoa. I am not a huge fan of chocolate to begin with, so it needs to be sweet for me.
Speaking of weird foods...I have really gotten to a point where I am enjoying food again! I couldn't see beyond the list of things I couldn't have and now I feel like there is a whole world of foods out there for me to try. For some it seems weird, but to me it is a completely new culinary adventure!
What have you tried recently that others around you turned their noses up at? Did you like it the first time you tried it or did you eat it a couple of times to make your decision?
I tried avocados again and still we are not meant to be...
PLEASE!!! I promise that the Jay Robb powder is worth the $$$$ :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried hemp protein powder. I used to be addicted to whey protein powders, but pregnancy quickly made me gag at the thought of them. It's too bad, b/c I worry if I'm taking in enough daily protein.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that you're enjoying food more now!! I know it must be so hard when your food choices are limited, but you are such a creative cook.
So glad to hear that I am not the only one to dislike avocados. I have tried and tried. I have not tried the hemp protein yet. I am a huge fan of vanilla too. I love the smell, the taste, everything about it. Love the fudge idea! As for the Jay Robb (or any other pricey protein powders) I started picking up the single-serving packets just to try out first.
ReplyDeleteThe fudge topping looks fantastic! It looks like it has the consistency of cookie dough, and the Laytons love the cookie dough!
ReplyDeleteWhen I finally get to TJs to stock our house, I may have to try this hemp powder. But let's get to the real matter at hand - you don't like avocados???? They are easily in my top five favorite foods. :)
ReplyDeleteFinding a good protein powder always feels like such a success! Glad you liked it!
ReplyDeleteI, too, have a Trader Joe's homing device. I think they tagged me while I was standing agog in the nut butter aisle. Tricky, very tricky.
ReplyDeleteGood for you for eating outside the box with the hemp protein! :)
haha, don't worry - you didn't lose me. I was with you the whole time! I think your mind works like mine ;)
ReplyDeleteThe hemp protein powder sounds great! When I first mixed protein powder into my oats I was a little apprehensive of the texture initially - but after those first few bits I was enamored. Never tried hemp, though!
And it took me a couple bowls of overnight oats before I became a believe. Now I am bowing before them ;)
Hm... hemp protein powder? I have been eating rice protein powder and just ordered some pea protein powder but I haven't done the hemp. Maybe it will be next.
ReplyDeleteI TOTALLY know what you mean about the TJ's honing device! Pretty sure I have one too! I had no idea they sold hemp powder. I'll definitely look for that!
ReplyDeleteYUM!! This looks great!
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried hemp protein in a while. For some reason I disliked it when I tried it, but I hear the health benefits are great!
TJ's is awesome and I only get to hit it up when I am down south :(
What other protein powder were you using?
xxoo
Like Jessica, I totally felt like I was on the page as you lady...you definitely didn't lose me! Okay, so I've been eyeing that affordable TJ's hemp protein for seriously...months now...I must get some! I love earthiness. It took me a while to like amazing grass in my smoothies but now I like it. People always turn up their noses at kale chips, until they try it!
ReplyDeleteThe hemp fudge topping is so creative! I tried the Living Harvest brand about a year ago and I didn't care for it. But then again, it wasn't *just* hemp, it had other stuff in it too.
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree with Veggie Girl- Jay Robb is worth it!
I've heard great things about hemp protein powder, I have to try it. You're so lucky to have TJ's so close to you, ours is 75 miles away! :(
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've tried anything new or unusual lately, so no one has turned their nose up to my eats, lol.
Jenn
As a fan of Nutiva HempShake -- which I used to use more frequently in the past -- a year ago or so I picked up that same Trader Joe's organic hemp powder. Unfortunately, it was so vile to me, I had to return it! Never before returned any food item (let alone one that was already opened), but after learning that this is an accepted policy of Trader Joe's, was glad to be able to get a refund. I enjoy all kinds of exotic healthy/"green" things (including wheat grass, etc.), but for some reason that was just gaggy. Glad you made it work for you! The stevia probably helped. The "fudge" also looks fantastic.
ReplyDeleteGirl I have never tried tj's hemp and i have only tried vega hemp and i am not a fan of it. tooooo grittyyyyyyy. yikes. Too earthy too. I like my powder to taste as close to candy as possible LOL I like Sun or Jay.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, someting must be in the air w/ us both talking about hemp today!
And the choc ball creation/fudge topping..nice!
Avos. Please try my raw vegan choc mousse recipe. Half the recipe and just try it. You will LOVE avos.. Promise!
I understand the need to go inside a TJ's every time you go by one...
ReplyDeleteAnd I also was wondering about their protein powders- I walk by them every time and always stop and look, but have never bought. So you like this stuff, huh? Interesting...
it's good to know TJ's has hemp powder - i've never noticed it there before.
ReplyDeleteI just bought hemp protein but I haven't used it yet. It weirds me out a bit too, but I'l have to try it in my breakfast. Have you tried amazing grass? Its a bit pricey too but I love it!
ReplyDeleteim pretty good when it comes to liking a variety of plant-based proteins. i like hemp and rice and pea protein a lot! i really wanna try the pumpkin seed protein ive seen in stores!
ReplyDeletemm and vanilla is so good. i rarely get the plain, either vanilla or chocolate <3
xoxo
I confess, I'm a little scared of hemp protein powder. I once ordered hemp flour here and it was terrible!!! It made me feel kind of weird too after eating what I made with it so it ended up in the bin. I like green food though and I adore avocados. Sadly they don't adore me :(
ReplyDeleteI just tried overnight oats this week and so far I'm not loving them...hmmm, maybe it just takes some time?
ReplyDeletethat looks good... i'm looking for protein powder and i'm really tempted by VEGA's stuff but that's about it. i'll check out what TJs has to offer now :)
ReplyDeleteProtein powder for weight loss
ReplyDeleteWow, you managed to cover up the dirt taste. Good Job! :)
ReplyDeleteI've tried hemp milk and absolutely loved it. I was excited to try TJ's hemp protein but was disappointed. I didn't like the flavor at all. I'm surely going to give it a try again after reading your recipe for hemp fudge. Thanks for the great idea! :)
ReplyDeleteI've had this stuff a while and this looks great! thanks for posting.
ReplyDeleteI did a search for hemp powder and found your blog! Great reading!
ReplyDeleteI noticed that the TJ hemp powder contains 'organic can juice' aka, sugar! 8^0
I don't normally consume refined sugar so that product would be off my list. In Canada, we have Manitoba Harvest. They've got loads of hemp protein powders - mostly pure and organic. They also have hemp flour - great for baking and cooking! Check them out online - I'm pretty sure they ship to the US because they have a US flag on their website.