Most days I'm able to get in about 70-80g protein from food if I eat right. I bought a new protein shake a couple months ago and found that I was gaining weight from it, so I stopped completely to see how I felt. I felt fine actually...no changes in energy, hair or anything. That being said...everyone is different. Since i've been working out a little bit more, I'll add a few shakes a week. Not only that, but it really helps for meal planning when I'm at work. So...we'll see!

April

Yes people DO have super strong opinions on their protein shakes! I hate them, always have, always will. We were told to get in at least 60 g of protein in. Not hard to do with food at all. Plus I'm still a little piggy and I love to eat and if I can eat instead of drink, well hell yeah!

I've since learned that you should get anywhere from .5-2 g of protein PER POUND. How anyone could do the 2 g is beyond me! Anyway, I've started a weight lifting program over the last 4-5  weeks and really stepped it up the last 3 weeks. I do drink a protein shake after my work outs/weight lifting because you should have easily digested protein within 30 mins after the work out, which only leaves protein shakes as a way to get it. I do slim fast low carb ones. 190 cals and 20g protein, has a high fat content though, 9 g, which sucks but it's the only one I've been able to tolerate at all.

So anyway, if people keep their protein shakes, low cal, low carb, low fat who cares?! :-) Just in general I do much better if I can keep my calories divided into 50% protein and 25 % carb 25% fat ( 505 P, 30% C, 20%F would be better but I can't seem to EVER reach that ratio!)

Hugs!!!

Today I woke up with a feeling of appreciation about all that have happened to me and my family in the later months. I am really thankfull of all the events that have brought me here, healthy and able to live a full live enjoying my kids growing up, and my wife taking my hand.
I would like to share this story with all of you. Sorry for the problems of translation:

A little girl went up to her bedroom took her piggy bank hidden in the closet and broke it in the floor spreading out all her money, then she counted carefully her savings three times, and when she was certain of the quantity went out silently from home using the back door. She went straight to the drugstore located six blocks from there. She waited there patiently until the drugstore attendant took attention of her, but he was busy. She cleared her throat, nothing happened, she screeched her shoes in the floor, nothing happened again, at last she took a quarter and used it to knock in the front desk. That was enough!!! "What do you want?" the attendant asked with a tone of displeasure in his voice... "I am talking with my brother who comes from Chicago and has been absent for years!!!" Well, she said, I would like to talk to you about my brother, he is really ill and I want to buy a miracle, he is really, really sick.
Excuse me? The attendant said, and Tere (which was the name of the girl) continued, his name is Andrés and something happens in his head, daddy says that only a miracle can save him, now tell me, how much does a miracle cost?
We don't sell miracles here little one, the attendant said with a softer voice, sorry we can't help you.
Hey!!! I've got money to pay for it!!!. If it isn't enough I will get more... just tell me how much do you want for a miracle!!!.
The attendant's brother which was a very well dressed man came into the conversation and asked to Tere: what kind of miracle does your brother need? I don't know, Tere said, I only know that he is really sick and mommy says that he needs surgery, but daddy says he can't afford it, that's why I want to use my money. How much do you have? The man from Chicago asked. One dollar and eleven cents answered Tere with a low voice, and that's all the money I have, but I cant get more if it is necessary.
Well, that's a coincidence, the man smiled; one dollar and eleven cents is the exact price for a miracle for little brothers. He took the money with one hand and with the other he took Tere's little hand. And now tell me where do you live?. I want to see your little brother and meet your parents. Let's see if I've got the right miracle needed. That well dressed man was Dr. Carlton Armstrong, a neurologist highly appreciated around the world. He did the surgery and charged no fees and took all the hospital charges under his pocket until Andrés went back to home completely healed. Mommy and daddy commented the happy chain of events that brought to their family all of that. That surgery, murmured mommy, was a real miracle. I can't imagine the real cost of it. Tere smiled, she did know the real cost of a miracle: one dollar and eleven cents... plus the faith of a little girl.

In our life we never know how many miracles we are going to need. A miracle is not the cancelation of a natural law but the implementation of a higher law.

Love you all.

Alex

I find that in my normal everyday life I cannot eat enough protein for the recomended amount that I feel I need.  I have learned when I consume 80-100 grams I feel more satisfied and have more energy the next day... but on my unemployed income I can't purchase foods rich in protein, so MUST make sure I have a shake.

I love mixin things up when shakin it.  A favorite is chocolate powder, vanilla soy milk and a banana... sometimes I'll throw some Peanut Butter in.  I'm into the creamy stuff as well... vanilla with peaches, strawberries or whatever.

My parents are wanting to get into shape for their anniversary and Christmas... I said they could do the shakes... just get the powder... (I happen to be out, he he) and we're off to Costco today, so cross your fingers we get some yumminess!

When I am able to get Starbucks, I adore the vivanno.  Its high in sugar, so I combat it with extra protein and tell the barista to use 1/2 or the smallest banana they have.  That helps a little :)  Mmmm Vivanno.

 Hi everyone,

A few weeks ago Kay, April and I were discussing the necessity of protein shakes in our diet now.  One thought is that we should be able to get enough calories and protein thru food.  Another perspective was that having a shake makes you fuller and there is a tendency to eat less.

I find myself in the second category, if I skip a shake the next day I want to eat everything in sight and never feel full.  

So the questions are.....
Do you have a shake or protein supplement in your diet?  
Every day?  
Do you feel or eat different if you don't have one?  
And what is your favorite recipe or two?

I put a scoop of vanilla whey protein (Jay Robb) into a grande latte from Starbucks - with soy milk and the SF cinnamon Dulce syrup.

Very interested to hear your thoughts on this!!

Have a great holiday weekend!!!

~Tiffany