Designer Whey Sustained Energy -- review and giveaway.

I wrote recently about Designer Whey when I tried the protein powder and bars for the first time. I enjoyed the protein powder for my shakes and for whipping up high-protein snacks (like those awesome pistachio white chocolate energy bites that I made).

This month, I was invited to try out Designer Whey's new product: Designer Whey Sustained Energy. I tried the Chocolate Velvet and Vanilla Bean and tried -- very, very hard -- to like them as much as I liked the regular, 100% whey powder.

Unfortunately, I couldn't. What I really liked about the regular Designer Whey powder was that it made my smoothies extra smooth, creamy and filling. The Sustained Energy powder definitely made my smoothies more filling, it just didn't make them any smoother or creamier. It is probably just a consistency thing with me, but I felt like the powder was a little bit gritty. This might not be an issue for anyone else but, for me, it was.

On the plus side, the protein powder delivers on its promise of sustained energy.  Designer Whey Sustained Energy is formulated to "provide balanaced, stimulant-free energy" and a smoothie or energy bite made with it kept me filled longer than expected. That's a good thing. One scoop of the powder provides 16 grams of protein and 19 essential vitamins and minerals.

Another plus is that the flavors -- vanilla bean and chocolate velvet -- were tasty and enjoyable.

Would you like to try out Designer Whey Sustained Energy for yourself?

Yes? Well, keep reading, friends!

The giveaway:

This giveaway will have SIX winners (open to US residents only) and the winners can choose to try out vanilla or chocolate. To enter, just leave me a comment letting me know that you'd like to try out this protein powder.

Additional entries:

As always, you can gain extra entries. Remember, though, you must complete the required entry first! And, yes, I'll check. (Leave one comment per entry for the additional ones to count.) So, here's what to do:

• Follow me on Pinterest, or let me know that you already do (leave a comment)
• Pin the image from this post to share the giveaway on Pinterest (leave a comment)
• Follow me on Twitter, or let me know that you already do (leave a comment)

• Follow me on Instagram, or let me know that you already do (leave a comment)

• Link to this giveaway from your blog (leave a comment)

This giveaway will run through Tuesday, July 2nd at 11:59pm EST and the winner -- chosen at random from all eligible entries -- will be announced on Wednesday. The winner will have 48 hours to contact me or I'll choose another winner.

Good luck!

 

 

Review disclaimer: I was sent product for review through Fitfluential. I was not otherwise compensated and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Peas Please!!

The super sugar snap peas are now approaching 3 1/2 feet tall.. just a few more weeks until the harvest begins.. I can't wait!! Snapped this photo before the crazy rain began.. more soon..

Checkboard Lettuce - update!

When I just walked outside to take a few photos of the lettuce.. I was assailed by the loveliest aroma - my Miss Kim dwarf lilac is now in full bloom - sweet!! This is a late bloomer and not quite as fragrant as common lilac, but so worthwhile in a border. It grows just 5 by 5 feet, attracts hummingbirds, butterflies and bees and creates a mound of blooms in the early summer garden. I find it tends to flower biennially.. for example, one year it's fabulous (like today!) and the following year it's flower deficient. If I prune it though after bloom, however, it blooms more reliably from year to year.

Anyway, on to my real topic of discussion - my lettuce. From late March to early September there is always a tray or plug flat of lettuce babies under my lights. This allows me to have a continuous supply of prime seedlings to plant in patterns, along the bed edges, under my bean teepees and trellises, in pots, wherever!! I love mixing and matching the many colours and textures of lettuce like the deep crimson, frilly edged leaves of Outredgeous with a bright green butterhead. Scroll down and check out the progress on my current lettuce checkerboard.. I could have made a whole 4 by 10 foot bed in this pattern.. but let's be honest, do I really need 50+ lettuce plants ready at once? Nope! I'd rather have about 20 so I don't waste any homegrown goodness.. this patch will last for at least 5 to 6 more weeks.. longer, if I cover the bed with a 30% shade cloth to block some of the summer sun..

Well hello, Miss Kim!

Lovely lilac

This looks like chamomile is taking over the
garden!! But fear not, it's actually just the
angle of the photo - it edges the garden on
both sides of the path as you enter. It's
in peak bloom now. Can you believe I actually
pulled about 75% of the seedlings that came up!
Mildly invasive, but easy to control. And so
fragrant - like green apples! And the beneficials
love it. 

Planting my lettuce babies weeks ago.. 

Done - bed planted.. do you see the potential?

Two weeks after planting.. they're starting to grow together!!

Today - they're almost a checkerboard (with a bush basil border
in front) and a pole bean teepee behind. Sorry about the
bright lighting.. I thought it would still be shaded so early
in the morning! I've started to pick these tender lettuces.

Close up! A crunchy butterhead.. 

And Outredgeous.. the light has washed out
the intense, deep red hue. But you
can see the unique ruffled leaves. 

Totally off topic, but check out this cool
mint.. This will be fab on my deck in a pot!

My Ignored Garden

Lovin' the kale!

I've been stealing as much time as I can to work in the garden, but I still have plenty to do! It's amazing how quickly 2000 sq feet fills up.. This year, I've got a few crops that I've never grown before or haven't grown in years - quinoa (new), amaranth (years ago), chickpeas (years ago) and giant limas (new) to name a few. Some of those crops seem to suck up a lot of room! Plus, one of my soon-to-be tomato beds is still full of spinach and kale. The cool/wet weather has prolonged their harvest and I'm trying to use up the spinach as fast as I can (spinach/feta pizzas, pasta with garden asparagus and handfuls of shredded spinach, etc.), but I have a hard time pulling out the blooming kale as the bees are loving it so much! Who knew that such small creatures could make so much noise! They go crazy in the golden blooms.. 

Here's a few photos from Friday and today.. yesterday was a total washout with the 70 mm of rain we received, but I just snuck up before dinner and put in 3 more 'Fairy Tale' eggplants.. yum! 

Blue skies, golden kale

Where did you come from?? This popped up
on the edge of the veggie garden. 

The bees love the catmint too.. 

Catmint, mache and garlic.. 

Planted for 2 1/2 weeks now and these little plants have
quadrupled in size!

Hello sunflower.. where did you come from?

I love the chive blooms.. so cheerful!

It's almost tea time! The chamomile is
starting to open.

Book Review - Maritime Fresh by Elisabeth Bailey

Ok, let me start by saying that I'm slightly biased.. I have met Elisabeth Bailey on a number of occasions and she also joined me on the The Weekend Gardener radio show last summer and will do so again this Sunday. She is an avid gardener, as well as being a talented food writer and through our conversations I have learned that she is passionate about growing and preparing local and homegrown food. Plus, she's a hoot!! (Sorry, the Maritimer in me had to say it!) 

In 2011, Elisabeth's first book, A Taste of the Maritimes was published by Nimbus Publishing. I immediately bought a copy and can honestly say that it is now well speckled and splotched with the results of my cooking! I loved it so much that I've also given it as a gift on - at least - a handful of occasions. Therefore, I was very excited when she told me last autumn that she was working on a new cookbook.. We discussed recipes and I shared a few of my own using garden ingredients.. so imagine my surprise when I picked up her latest book - Maritime Fresh - and saw that she actually mentioned me!! So cool.. 

Anyhoo, I am asked at least twice a week what I do with all my garden veggies. 'Eat them' is my usual, semi-sarcastic answer.. and many folks have told me that I should write my own 'from the garden' cookbook.. Listen, I'm an OK cook, but I'm no food writer! :) That's why I'm grateful for Elisabeth's books.. 

Maritime Fresh divides itself by various garden vegetables, fruits and herbs. So.. if you have just found yourself picking a few bushels of beans, flip to page 32 and make her Bean and Cheese Burritos (and then bring me some, they are divine!).. or what do you do when all 20 of your broccoli plants are ready to harvest at once? How about some Broccoli Jack Soup (page 52) and then freeze the extras for autumn. 

Does dad love to garden or cook? Check out Elisabeth's book and tune in to The Weekend Gardener on News 95.7 FM in Halifax (www.news957.com) this Sunday to ask her your questions on cooking from the garden - 11 to 1 pm - and her segment will be from noon to 12:30. 

Today on The Weekend Gardener!!

Some of my new Proven Winners plants.. I will blog about
this soon too!! 

Just up drinking tea and getting a few notes together for today's radio show.. It's been crazy hot for the past few days, a nice change from the crazy cold/wet weather that we've had for weeks.. It's amazing how a few days of sun will really make plants grow!! I promise to do a chickpea post soon (my plants are almost a foot tall!), but for now, here's a glimpse of today's radio show:

Jane Rostek will join me to offer a preview on the upcoming and super popular, YWCA Over the Garden Gate garden tour that takes place Sunday June 9th.. It's the 21st year for the tour and tickets are available at FRED, Halifax Seed and a few other locations. I have seen a few of the gardens on the tour and they are AMAZING!!

Then, Robert Baldwin, plantsman extraordinarre, and the owner of Baldwin's Nurseries will be in studio to talk plants!! From shrubs to trees to perennials, Robert will talk favourites, deer-resistant and whatever else our listeners want to learn about. I encourage you to call in with your questions and comments!! 1-877-801-8255

Also coming in studio today, Jayme Melrose, project co-ordinator for the Common Roots Urban Farm in Halifax. She's bringing in Sara Burgess, the farmer for the project and Rob McNeish, a volunteer. We'll find out what's happening at the farm, about their new community garden plots and how you can volunteer!!

Hope you can join us!! 11 to 1 pm Atlantic time (10-noon EST) on News 95.7 FM in Halifax, News 91.9 FM in Moncton and News 88.9 FM in Saint John or listen live anywhere at www.news957.com.