Calling Out for FAQ’s
It’s come to my attention recently that my FAQ page is a little sad! I have taken it down and instead decided to put out a call for some REAL FAQ’s (the ones I had up there were my anticipated questions…lame).
If you have any questions for me, I’d love to answer them! Contact me here or leave a comment. For now, here is one I have had in my inbox for a while:
Leah asked: I may have missed it, but gave you blogged somewhere about what kind of protein powder you use?
I used to use protein powder a lot more than I do now because I’m trying to stick to more “whole” foods lately (plus I eat more meat and dairy so there is little need for it). When I do use it, it is a single scoop in a smoothie or shake.
This powder is by a UK company called Reflex. It is called Instant Whey, and contains whey protein isolate. It is expensive, but I think it’s worth it because there are no fillers or extra sugars and carbs in this like you get in many cheaper brands. For the record, I bought this product after a lot of research. I have not received any samples, but if the folks from Reflex are reading this, I would be more than happy to sample more of your products!
This powder meets most of the main points that Jillian Michaels says to look for in a protein powder: it is a whey protein isolate and contains Branch Chain Amino Acids (BCAA’s). Here is an interesting article on BCAA’s. Unfortunately it does contain artificial sweeteners acesulfame k and sucralose.
Does that say spores?
The taste is great so despite the price tag, I think we are going to stick with it!
I had a scoop today in a post-workout smoothie! No greens today, I just wanted berries + banana with my protein:
Rewinding to lunch, I had some homemade vegetarian chili that I made yesterday when it was raining. Of course, today it was bright and sunny! I still enjoyed my chili though. I had it with a WW English muffin + Laughing Cow Lights.
Regular readers know how much I like to experiment with chili recipes! This one was a random mix featuring a bunch of veggies (tomatoes, celery, onion, bell pepper, zucchini, and corn), beans (kidney and cannelini), spices, vegetable broth and TVP. I have four more servings, so lunches will be a no-brainer this week 
If you’ve been following me on Twitter, you know that this was another successful day with my eats! No urges to binge whatsoever. Admittedly I am not eating as many veggies and “clean” foods as I strived to in the past, but eating what I really feel like has been a huge help. I’ve been having a single glass of wine and a small dessert each night for the past few days, too. Those are extra calories that I ideally would try to avoid, but I think in the long run I am still ahead!
Before I go, please check out these two exciting giveaways!
Jessica is giving away some Amazing Grass products
Lacey is giving away a raw cookbook!
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I have never used protein powder, but I want to look into buying some. Thanks for the link to the article on BCAA’s. It’s very interesting.
I also love making a big pot of chili; it’s great to have some good food that lasts a few days in the fridge…
Chili looks great! I am going to try one from Bethenny’s site this week as well as the tofu sandwich filling recipe.
Your smoothie looks amazing – I have got so used to Green Monsters that I forgot smoothies came in other colours!
I’ve never used a protein powder – does it add flavour, or thicken the smoothie?
I’ll use whey protein powder occasionally if I’ve done a big bout of exercise and feel like I need it. Your chili looks wonderful! Even though it’s soo hot here, I would still jump right in that
That’s great to hear, eat what you like and feel good 
Sounds good to me! I don’t know why I hadn’t found you on twitter before?!
-kristen
ah yes BCAA’s … i remember those being important when i was strength training.
-muffy
That smoothie looks yummy!
I know you’re in the UK – how did you end up there?
Glad you had a good food day. The chili looks amazing. I love chili, and soups in general, even on the hottest days!
I agree that protein powder is a good thing to spend more money on … ours is kind of expensive too.
That chili looks absolutely delicious! Rain or sun I’d gladly eat it!
WOOHOO for good eating days – I’m so happy to hear that
I don’t know if you’ve mentioned this before but I’d love to know how you and your hubs met. If you have mentioned it, I’m sorry!
Your smoothie looks like something out of a magazine…major YUMMO!! I like the chili, too. I have questions, but I think you already put them on your “About” page. I’ll have to go look there to save you from repeating yourself. I am curious to know where in CA you’re hoping to move? Sorry if that’s a repeat answer, too!
Ah, eating what you want is always the key to prevent binging. Thanks for the reminder. I try to cram in as many veggies as I can, forgetting to eat the foods I really love (carbs!).
Colorful and gorgeous chili! Looks good, but is way too hot right now for me to recreate
Great idea for TVP! I have a bunch I’ve been meaning to use up.. do you just throw it in with everything else?
Yay for joining twitter. I added you.
I’m not on there a whole lot but it can be fun!!
Smoothie & chili both look delicious!!
Hmmm, what is your favorite type of exercise?
How do you think the Brits approach food and fitness similarly or differently than Americans? My friend who lives there says that most Brits would never step foot in the gym or feel extremely proud if they go twice a week and aren’t diet conscious at all. But I wonder if she’s exagerating a bit.
what foods do you wish you had access to but do not? it was hard for me to not have access to a lot of the foods i was used to when i lived in london! i am sure you find that a lot, especially with seeing stuff all over the blogs!
that protein powder looks top notch. and yummm your chili looks divine! a little warm for our 100 degree weather but i do love chili!
Yay for another day! I love twittering with you, hon!
Here’s a question for you: Do you have “taboo” foods?
And where do you go to shop for groceries most of the time?
ok, that was two xp
I have had some TVP hanging out in my pantry for quite some time. I just couldn’t decide what to do with it. Chilli is a great idea!
Hi hun, that chilli looks delicious
and thats so great that youve had no urges to binge the past few days! enjoy the rest of your night!
I think your new approach is fantastic: I appreciate you don’t like having the ‘extra’ calories but for me it’s the same with portion sizes in the sense that I feel guilty for having more than the recommended portion but if I stick to the guidelines then I end up hungry, miserable and liable to bingeing on even more calories in the long run.
What you’re doing is sensible and key to weight maintenance in my opinion, and it’s far more likely to make you a happier person long-term (hopefully)
I don’t know if this question has been asked before but what would you say are the pros and cons (or good and bad points) about living in the UK and USA repectively? (especially in terms of food)
Thanks!
april: I just throw it in toward the end and let it cook for a while to absorb the liquids. It’s pretty good and ads a meat-like texture.
I always want chili when the weather is crappy too. I basically lived off it this past winter. I think I may have to re-follow you on Twitter. It dumped a bunch of the people I’m following/people following me for some reason. They’re not making it any easier to figure out!!!
That chilli looks great! Have you ever had British chili? It’s much thicker than what I had in the US…more like bolognese almost?
Congrats on being more intuitive recently! DON’T worry about not eating as ‘clean’ as you’d want…ultimately, finding a balance that you can live with without feeling deprived is what’s more important than worrying about a glass of wine or dessert. And if it’s helping you with your urges, WHY change?!!!!
Spores… ha! weird but probably healthy
That protein looks fantastic! I wish they had that here but Jay Robb and Pure Protein will do for now
woohoo for joining twitter too!
just nanners and berries…mmm. looks SO good.