Time for a shakedown

Rob · Test Subject Joined: 04 Jan 2007 Posts: 10

Both Dr. Nigma Sciortino, naturopath, and Karlene Karst (you’ll read about her in the March issue), registered dietician, have recommended that I drink a protein shake (or two) every day. Dr. Sciortino recommended that I start with a vanilla-flavoured base, and add berries to make the drinks interesting. But I’m completely ignorant of protein shakes, and I need help. So I have a couple of questions for our forum participants:

Do any of you have good smoothie/protein shake recipes?

So far, I’ve been stuck with frozen strawberries because all I could find was a big frozen bag of them in my local big box membership store. I’d like to add some variety with other kinds of berries, but it’s difficult to find any at this time of year. Ideally, I’d buy/pick the fresh fruit and freeze it myself. That way I could be sure that they were local and organic. However, it’s not that time of year, so I’ll have to wait until this summer before I can do that.

So I ask: where can I get frozen berries?

And by the way…bananas are not an option. I know that they’re really good for me, bu I just can’t eat them. They’re gross.

Mrs H · Guest

Hi Rob,
I think you are doing a fantastic job. I am sure it isnt easy. Your local supermarket will have frozen berries. They come in a mix of blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and strawberries. I usually pick the strawberries out and use them separately as they are so large and often don't blend well, resulting in a large frozen lump in the "smoothie". Frozen mango is also available and decadent with the vanilla flavour. I have seen rhubarb but been reluctant to try it. I have also used fresh fruit such as peaches or necturines quite successfully. experimenting can have pleasant results.
Hope this helps. Keep up the good work.
Mrs. H

Rob · Test Subject Joined: 04 Jan 2007 Posts: 10

I have another issue. I bought a Magic Bullet for making my shakes, but I'm not happy. There's always a ball of unmixed protein powder floating in the middle of my shake. It's usually about half of the powder that I put in. Does anyone know if I'm doing this wrong or adding too much protein powder?

I should clarify that I'm usuing a protein shake mix, not just protein powder.

AMB · Guest

Confession: I've been freezing berries for years so I'm kind of surprised that others don't do the same. Living in the Lower Mainland we have local access to such wonderful berry farms during the summer that I've never thought of purchasing frozen berries. But I do think I've seen them in the frozen foods section of stores like Capers and Real Canadian Superstore. Might be a little pricey but you only have a few months before summer and the fresh fruits are ready.

I've never used a Magic Bullet but have found that when using a blender it's sometimes necessary to lift the lid and mix the smoothie with a spatula before whizzing the mixture again. Be careful though; I once ruined 'the best spatula ever' when I put it into the blender before the blades had stopped turning!

Good luck with your new healthy living plan. I look forward to future updates.

Mrs H · Guest

I usually end up with rogue berries but not congealed protein. Pulse and shake the bullet. Shake the mixture before puting the bullet to the motor. Sometimes swearing at it really helps.
Good luck. Keep up the good work.

Martini · Guest

You think you've got problems finding berries, try living north of 60! Just kidding, they have them in the Superstore. I've never heard of a bullet, just go buy a blender. They are great for making other drinks too you know. The best protein powder I found is Whey powder, you can add soy milk, the powder and a couple of berries and away you go. Good luck.