Helpful article link..

MSNBC has an article on the importance of protein, let's all remeber how important protein is for those planning on surgery and those who have had surgery The link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3041426/ With that said...what's your favorite protein drink or protein bar? Mine~~anyone that's won't make me (not really kidding but sorta.) I find myself eating the ones with high protein (Pure Protein and South Beach Diet Meal Replacement Bars-the Chocolate Crisp is to die for but it's high in sugar alcohols) I've added vanilla Whey Protein to my regular SF oatmeal...that didn't taste so bad...vanilla oatmeal...lol. But it's not something I'd do everyday...protein makes me...ummm....yeah...go to the bathroom a lot...lol. I try to get my protein through natural sources high in protein (fish, lean pork/beef) and so far for a week and a half I've been able to meet all my protein goals (over 70 grams) and stay under 1000-1200 calories (only hit 1200 calories on one day). But on the days that I'm lacking I'll drink a Muscle Milk...I guess it's working because my scale at the gym says I've lost another 3.7 pounds (that puts me at almost 11 pounds in three weeks...YEAH!!) Dana

I like Nectar the best. It is not thick and their teas taste just like tea. It is so smooth, but not too sweet. Because I am switching from all liquid to softfoods this week, it has been difficult to get in enough protein or enough liquid. But I am working on it. Oh, I also like the Nectar because there is virtually no carbs.

Protein bar: Power Crunch Bar (Triple Chocolate) 15 grams per bar Elite Powder Drinks: Coffee Mocha, Berry Blast and Orange Dreamsicle 23 grams per scoop Vanilla Soymilk: 7 grams per 8 oz I'm giving a sample scoop of the powder mixes to Jessica to taste as we were just talking about this a****er aerobics class the other day. Blend w/soymilk and ice chips.

I am soooo bad about getting in my protein...I have yet to find a shake I can tolerate, and a bar that is edible! I snagged a bar to try from Kim this morning (I think it might be a Power Crunch bar), and when I get my snack attack tonight I will try it! I'm looking forward to trying Kris' protein samples...cause something's gotta give! I did get one in the mail quite a while ago and it was really really good, it might be the nectar brand, I don't remember for sure though.

Hey Jessica... Maybe you can catch the VitaLady sale...it is until today so if you check email early enough you may be able to buy some things before the sale ends. She has all the flavor samples of the Nectar protein...I bought all and they were $1.49 each and she has all the flavors (I think) of the Power Crunch Bar...I tried two for now. The only reason I only bought two is because I'm aliright with the Pure Protein bar which is small and has 20 grams of protein. If you can catch the sale before it ends, I think the samples for all of them came out to 50 cents off. Dana

Let me know what you think of the protein powders I gave you...and honest opinion ok? Glad you'll be going to the water aerobics classes, now I have someone else to keep me company when Susan can't come. We have to convince Dana to come now! LOL

Hey Kris... I just ordered two of the Power Crunch Bar (Triple Chocolate and Cookies and Cream from VitaLady) and I got one of each of the Nectar samples (they were on sale for $1.49 each). Where do you get the Elite Powder?? How is the thickness and does it have a really vitaminy (yeah...lol...I'm now making up my own words) taste??? Dana

LOL I just sent you an email and mentioned the protein powder. If you plan on coming to one of the water aerobics classes I'll bring along a scoop of each flavor for you to taste. Be sure to mix with ice cold soymilk (I guess skim milk too, but I've never tried since I can't handle milk products) with ice chips, blend well. Wait till you taste the flavors I give you before you buy it, just in case you don't like the taste so you don't get stuck with the 2 pound containers. I can honestly say the taste is tolerable, just a little proteiny taste. Is that a word? Proteiny? LOL But if you make the Berry Blast with lots of ice and make it slushy where you can scoop it out with a spoon, it tastes yummy. And the Coffee Mocha tastes like a latte. I bought it from on online store (if you ever find one that has free shipping to Hawaii, let me know!), but because of the weight it's expensive to ship here...I had to pull some strings to save on shipping. But you might want to check eBay, as I've seen it on there too along with Power Crunch bars and the shipping for the bars were kinda cheap.

Hehehe I just got the email...I'll let you know when I'll be coming to the water aerobics as soon as they finish up the scheduling here with the new hires...I'm exicited and I can't wait. I drink soymil****asionally, too...I can't tolerate may milk products either. The slush sounds really good though...I can have my own slurpees...lol. Did you know that 7-11 had Crystal Light slurpees for a little while...I think it was the lemonade flavor. Those would be sooo good right now. I can't wait to get my samples in...I wanna try the Power Crunch Bar...it sounds sooo good. And I hear really good things about the Nectar brand also. I'm so ready for my surgery...can't you tell...I'm excited about tasting protein...lol.

7-11 had Crystal Lite slurpees!?!?! NO WAY!! Wish I knew that last week! *L* I stay away from that place like the plague because it's too tempting with all that "no-no" food in every aisle. I went in there once and could not find anything I could eat! But now that they might have Crystal Lite slurpees, that might be a good reason to stop by. Especially if there's more days coming like last week...UGH! The weather was aweful, not to mention our a/c for the office was on the blink! Thank goodness the trades are back. I LOVE soymilk, that's all I drink with the protein powders. But stay away from the Chocolate soymilk...tastes yummy, but high in sugar. The case soymilk from Costco or Sams Club is good, plus you can leave it out and put it in the refrig when you're ready to drink it.