Berry Bubble Protein Bars

February 14, 2014 · 148 Comments

I haven’t really bothered with protein powders before.

One look at the ingredients in some of them is enough to scare you off! Artificial additives, sweeteners, refined sugars – yuk! According to Sally Fallon at The Weston A Price Foundation, some protein powders are very nasty.

Knowing this, the clever people at Nutra Organics have worked tirelessly in sourcing and formulating an alternative – a healthy, natural protein powder. One thing that always stands out about Nutra Organics is that they are highly ethical. Vanessa, Darlsy and all the people who work there bring their kids up on these products and they make sure that only the highest quality ingredients are used. I was surprised to learn just how much research and work goes into it!

Thriving Protein is pretty special and unique in the market place. There is nothing quite like it.

♥ raw (so no high heat denaturing the protein)

♥ dairy free (no whey)

♥ vegan

♥ gluten free

♥ corn free

♥ GMO free

♥ soy free

♥ sugar free

♥ organic

♥ bio-fermented (acts as a probiotic)

♥ high vitamin D mushroom powder

♥ iron, magnesium, calcium, selenium, manganese, Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, Vitamin C, folate and zinc!

♥ omega 3 fatty acids

You can find a full ingredient list on the Nutra Organics website.

To be honest, I wasn’t expecting to like them (sssh don’t tell Vanessa!) Having had a bad experience with nasty tasting, floury protein powders in the past, I thought it just wasn’t my thing. What I wasn’t expecting was the delicious flavours – it pretty much tastes like a chocolate or vanilla milkshake when you pop it in a glass of milk. Brilliant.

And did they past the kid test? We all know this is the hardest one to pass! Yes, it did. Both kids think they are really yummy. I have really noticed that when they have Thriving Protein after school, it fills them up. They are not snacking to the huge extent they were before (yes teenagers really do eat you out of house and home, especially when they do a lot of sport!) It was getting very expensive to feed them, so I appreciate having something that will satisfy their appetites with amazing quality nutrition.

So, how do you use Thriving Protein powder?

Well the list is endless. Pop it in a glass of milk or milk substitute. Use it in smoothies and paddle pops. Sprinkle it on oats. Mix it into yoghurt. Pop it into bliss balls. Use it in recipes.

Here is one recipe I have come up with that you can give a go. It’s a lot more natural and budget friendly than a ready made protein bar. I hope you like it!

Berry Bubble Protein Bars

Vital Stats: Gluten Free, Egg Free, Nut Free, Sugar Free

Okay, so this is what you need:

2 cups organic puffed brown rice

1 1/2 cups organic virgin coconut oil

4 tablespoons Thriving Protein Exotic Vanilla powder

3 tablespoons C-Berry Blast or Acai Berry Blend powder

1/4 cup goji berries

1/2 cup organic cranberries

1/4 cup organic coconut flakes

[box] HOT TIP: Use any sort of dried berry you like. Just make sure it doesn’t contain any artificial additives.[/box]

Okay, so this is how you do it:

Whisk the Thriving Protein powder and the C-Berry Blast or Acai Berry Blend powder into the coconut oil.

Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well.

Pour into a baking paper lined slice tin.

Refrigerate until set. Cut into bars.

You will need to store this in the fridge.

Giveaway:

This giveaway has now closed. Congratulations to Paola, Monique and Charmaine!

Would you like to try out some of the NEW Thriving Protein powder from NutraOrganics? The lovely girls have given me three jars to giveaway – one of each flavour.

How to enter:

♥ Be a Natural New Age Mum Facebook liker

♥ Be a Natural New Age Mum website subscriber (add your email to the right hand side box)

♥ Comment on this blog post, telling me which flavour you would like to win!

[box] Terms and conditions: This giveaway will close at midnite (AEST) on Sunday the 23rd of February. Winners will be chosen using random.org from those fulfilling the entry requirements correctly. Winners will be emailed and announced on this blog post. Sorry, Australian residents only.[/box]

Hosted by Kellie O’Brien Media{I am so proud to be affiliate partners with Nutra Organics}

3 Nutrient Boosters to Add to Your Meals

September 13, 2013 · 21 Comments

3 Nutrient Boosters to Add to Your Meals

These are my three favourite ‘boosters’ that I add to my savoury cooking.

I am giving my family a huge nutrient boost, without them even realizing.

Brilliant.

So what do I use them in?

Curry, soup, stew, casserole, rice dishes, egg dishes, stirfries, chow mein, spaghetti sauces …… to name a few!

Pretty much anywhere it’s going to be mixed in with something. These nutrient boosters add both flavour and nutrients. The taste is very subtle. Most times, I use a teaspoon or two of all three, adjusting accordingly.

Okay so I wonder if you have guessed what any of them are?

Let’s go, left to right.

1. Dehydrated Bone Broth

I am loving this stuff. I do make my own bone broth occasionally. But with limited freezer space, this option is making it so much easier for me! I usually use chicken, but sometimes I use beef, depending on the meal. You can find the ones I recommend here.

So, what is bone broth and why is it good for you?

Bone broth is simply stock with vinegar that is cooked for a long time to extract the goodness from the bones. It’s really good for helping with digestion and gut health, reducing inflammation in joints, boosting your immune system and keeping your thyroid healthy. Dehydrated bone broth has had the water removed to leave behind all the goodness. If you want to make your own bone broth, read my beginner’s guide here.

2. Dulse Flakes

These have been very hard to track down! Check your local health food store or order online. I use this brand as it’s raw, certified organic and harvested in Canada. There is no need to worry about radiation from Japan where a lot of seaweed is harvested.

So, what is dulse and why is it good for you?

Dulse flakes are simply a type of seaweed. It’s packed with vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, C, and E, and minerals like potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, chromium, iodine and zinc and trace elements. It helps heal poor digestive systems, rebuilds and maintains all glands in the body and help cleanse the body of heavy metals. It’s also high in calcium, fibre, and protein and helps support healthy brain function. You can also get dulse combined with pink salt in this seaweed salt to be used in your salt shaker.

3. Vital Veggie Power

This stuff is gaining legendary status amongst mums all across Australia with fussy eaters. This concentrated goodness is from Gold Coast based company, Superfoods for Kidz . Get it here.

So what is Vital Veggie Power and why is it good for you?

Basically it’s a selection of certified organic fruit and vegies that have been freeze-dried and powdered. Each teaspoon contains around 3 grams of powder which is equivalent to roughly 21 grams of whole carrot, tomato, pumpkin, mango, spirulina, barley grass, chlorella, alfalfa, and psyllium. It’s a great way to add a boost of vegetable goodness into your diet.

My secret is out! These are my amazing nutrient boosters I use to keep us all healthy and our immune system in top shape.

Have you used any of these? What did you think?